Case No. 0213Assault causing serious harm · Co. Westmeath · 1 Mar 2025
Mark Conway sentenced to seven years for stabbing former friend seven times over €20 horse bet in Athlone
Mark Conway, a 40-year-old man from Athlone, stabbed a former friend seven times in the abdomen and arm on 1 March 2025 in Marine View, Athlone, Co Westmeath, over a €20 horse bet the two had placed together. The victim lost consciousness and required keyhole surgery after his liver was sliced and his gallbladder removed. Conway, who was on bail for an earlier attack on his ex-partner and had 26 prior convictions, pleaded guilty to causing serious harm and other charges connected to the knife attack. He was sentenced in October 2026 to seven years with 12 months suspended, running consecutively to a five-year, three-month sentence imposed in January.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced2 Oct
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Conway stabbed the man seven times in the abdomen and arm, slicing his liver and causing him to lose consciousness.
- Where
- The attack took place in Marine View, Athlone, Co Westmeath.
- When
- The stabbing occurred on 1 March 2025.
- Weapon
- Conway used a pole, a shovel, and a flick knife during the attack.
- Investigation
- Gardaí found the injured man bleeding heavily in his home, and CCTV from a nearby house was played in court.
- Charges
- Conway pleaded guilty to causing serious harm and other charges connected to the knife attack.
- Sentence
- Conway was sentenced to seven years with 12 months suspended, with conditions including no contact with the victim or his family for five years.
- The sentence runs consecutively to a five-year, three-month sentence imposed in January for an attack on his ex-girlfriend who later fled the country.
- Other details
- Conway was on bail for an attack on his ex-partner at the time of the stabbing.
- Conway had 26 prior convictions including assault, public order, criminal damage, burglary, theft and knife possession.
- The victim and Conway had been friends who jointly placed a €20 bet on a horse.
- Both the victim and his partner have post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the attack.
- The judge described Conway as having Jekyll and Hyde characteristics, passive when sober and violent when drunk.
19 statements extracted from the articles
- whatConway stabbed the man seven times in the abdomen and arm (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe victim lost consciousness and underwent keyhole surgery at hospital (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe attack took place in Marine View, Athlone, Co Westmeath (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe stabbing occurred on 1 March 2025 (irishtimes.com)
- weaponConway used a pole, a shovel, and a flick knife during the attack (irishtimes.com)
- investigationCCTV from a nearby house was played in court (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí found the injured man bleeding heavily in his home where he lived with his partner and their children (irishtimes.com)
- chargeConway pleaded guilty to causing serious harm and other charges connected to the knife attack (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceConway was sentenced to seven years with 12 months suspended, with conditions including no contact with the victim or his family for five years (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe sentence runs consecutively to a five-year, three-month sentence imposed in January (irishtimes.com)
- otherConway was on bail for an attack on his ex-partner at the time of the stabbing (irishtimes.com)
- otherConway had 26 prior convictions including assault, public order, criminal damage, burglary, theft and knife possession (irishtimes.com)
- otherConway began drinking from age 14 after his mother died and later began abusing medication (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe victim and Conway had been friends who jointly placed a €20 bet on a horse (irishtimes.com)
- otherBoth the victim and his partner have post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the attack (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe judge described Conway as having Jekyll and Hyde characteristics, passive when sober and violent when drunk (irishtimes.com)
- otherConway tried to blame the victim for the violence until shown incriminating CCTV evidence (irishtimes.com)
- otherConway was jailed in January for an attack on his ex-girlfriend who later fled the country (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe victim's partner said there was blood everywhere like in a movie (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 2 Oct2026Man sentenced to six years for repeatedly stabbing former friend over horse bet
Reports the sentencing of Mark Conway for the stabbing, including details of the attack, the victim's injuries, prior convictions, and the judge's remarks.
suspect, Mark Conway, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)Mark Conwayvictim, male