Saturday 31 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. 20680Assault · Co. Offaly · 21 May 2022

Midlands farmer sentenced for assaulting Department of Agriculture inspector

On 21 May 2022 at Clonmeen, Rhode, Co Offaly, Brian Ennis, a 21-year-old man, became confrontational when a Department of Agriculture inspector called to his farm, and Garda evidence says he pushed the inspector in an attempt to get him off the farm. Mr Ennis was summonsed and charged with assault, and at Tullamore District Court his solicitor, Donal Farrelly, said he was pleading guilty. The judge described the behaviour as bullying towards the inspector. Mr Ennis was convicted and sentenced to one month's imprisonment, suspended for two years, as reported on 15 June 2023.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced15 Jun
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Brian Ennis, a 21-year-old man, was convicted of assaulting a Department of Agriculture inspector.
Where
The assault happened at Clonmeen, Rhode, Co Offaly.
When
The assault happened on 21 May 2022.
Cause
Garda evidence said Mr Ennis became confrontational when the inspector called and pushed him in an attempt to get him off the farm.
Investigation
Garda Sergeant James O'Sullivan gave evidence to the court about the incident.
Charges
Mr Ennis was charged with assault; one report says he was summonsed for the offence.
In court
  • The case was heard at Tullamore District Court.
  • Mr Ennis's solicitor, Donal Farrelly, said he was pleading guilty.
  • The judge described the behaviour as bullying towards the inspector.
Sentence
Mr Ennis was sentenced to one month's imprisonment, suspended for two years.
Other details
  • Mr Ennis has no previous convictions, according to his solicitor.
  • Reports of the conviction and sentence were published on 15 June 2023.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatBrian Ennis was convicted of assaulting a Department of Agriculture inspector. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatMr Ennis became confrontational with the inspector and pushed him in an attempt to get him off the farm. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatA farmer was convicted of assaulting a Department of Agriculture inspector. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe assault happened at Clonmeen, Rhode, Co Offaly. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe assault took place at Clonmeen, Rhode. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe assault happened on 21 May 2022. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe assault took place on 21 May 2022. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeBrian Ennis was charged with assault. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Tullamore District Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtMr Ennis's solicitor said he was pleading guilty. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe solicitor said Mr Ennis is 21 and has no previous convictions. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge described the behaviour as bullying towards the inspector. (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtBrian Ennis appeared before Tullamore District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe defence solicitor said his client was pleading guilty. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtA garda sergeant told the court about the incident. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceMr Ennis was sentenced to one month's imprisonment, suspended for two years. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe farmer was sentenced to one month's imprisonment, suspended for two years. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherWhen the inspector called, Mr Ennis became confrontational. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherIt was claimed that the farmer pushed the inspector in an attempt to get him off the farm. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherMr Ennis, aged 21, has no previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 Jun2023
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Young Midlands farmer in court for assaulting Department of Agriculture Inspector

    First report of this case. Adds the conviction and sentence at Tullamore District Court, the plea, the garda evidence and the judge's comments.

    convicted, Brian Ennis, 21, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brian Ennisvictim
  2. 15 Jun2023
    Sentencedoffalyexpress.ie, follow-up
    Suspended prison sentence for Offaly farmer who assaulted Department of Agriculture Inspector

    Adds the court outcome: the guilty plea, the judge's comments, and the sentence of one month's imprisonment suspended for two years.

    convicted, Brian Ennis, 21, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brian Ennisvictim