Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 1942Assault causing harm · Co. Westmeath · 1 Jul 2023

Man stabbed in neck with broken bottle after being falsely accused of stealing headphones in Athlone

A man in his 40s was stabbed in the neck with a broken bottle on Connaught Street, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, shortly after midnight on 1 July 2023, after Noel Rattigan, 23, of Ardbrae Park, Athlone, falsely accused him of taking headphones. Rattigan smashed a green bottle off a wall and stuck it into the left side of the victim's neck, leaving him in a pool of blood and permanently scarred from his ear to his neck. Rattigan pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court in April 2025. He was remanded in custody pending sentencing in July, and Judge Keenan Johnson is considering a prison term of three years and nine months, having adjourned the case pending a probation report.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted3 Apr
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A man in his 40s was stabbed in the neck with a broken bottle after being falsely accused of taking headphones.
Where
The attack took place on Connaught Street, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.
When
The incident occurred shortly after midnight on 1 July 2023.
Cause
Rattigan followed the victim from a pub and falsely accused him of taking headphones.
Weapon
Rattigan smashed a green bottle off a wall and stuck it into the left side of the victim's neck.
Investigation
Rattigan made denials to investigating Gardaí during his interview.
Charges
Rattigan pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court.
In court
  • A forensic psychological report found Rattigan to be at high risk of violence in the future.
  • Judge Keenan Johnson is considering a prison term of three years and nine months and adjourned the case pending a probation report.
Sentence
Rattigan was remanded in custody pending sentencing in July 2025.
Other details
  • The victim is permanently scarred from his ear to his neck and suffers flashbacks.
  • Rattigan is a father of two with a history of alcohol and drug abuse from his mid-teens.
18 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatNoel Rattigan, 23, of Ardbrae Park, Athlone, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe victim was left in a pool of blood on the street (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe victim was falsely accused of taking headphones (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe man sustained blows and kicks on the ground and has been permanently scarred from his ear to his neck (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatRattigan and the victim had been in the same pub but did not know each other or interact (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatRattigan followed the man and said 'They are my headphones' (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatRattigan returned to the pub, picked up a green bottle and put it in his pocket (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatRattigan is a father of two with a history of alcohol and drug abuse from his mid-teens (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatRattigan drank five or six pints on top of medication for psychotic episodes (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatRattigan made denials to investigating Gardaí during his interview (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe victim now suffers flashbacks, feels unsafe walking the streets, and his confidence has been shattered (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponRattigan smashed a bottle off a wall and stuck it into the left side of the victim's neck (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJudge Keenan Johnson said it was by the grace of God the victim was not killed (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtRattigan was remanded in custody pending sentencing in July (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtA forensic psychological report found Rattigan to be at high risk of violence in the future (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJudge Johnson is considering a prison term of three years and nine months and adjourned pending a probation report (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe maximum penalty for this category of assault was raised from five to 10 years but Rattigan's case falls under the previous sentencing regime (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJudge Johnson stated the accused showed limited remorse and was more aggrieved that he too had been injured (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Apr2025
    Convictedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man falsely accused of stealing headphones left in pool of blood after stabbing

    Plea of guilty, remand in custody pending probation report and sentencing; judge considering 3 years 9 months; victim permanently scarred from ear to neck.

    victim, 40s, maleaccused, Noel Rattigan, 23, male, named, irish (judged from name)Noel Rattigan