Ireland Offaly man given suspended sentence for assaulting hurlers at Nowlan Park
On 9 November 2025, Brendan Monaghan, from Glendine, Kilcormac, Co Offaly, struck hurler Adrian Mullen three times on the head at Nowlan Park, Kilkenny, after a senior club quarter final between Shamrocks Ballyhale and Kilcormac Killoughey. He tried to strike hurler TJ Reid with a hurl and was restrained by a Kilcormac Killoughey player. Garda Inspector Paul Donohoe apprehended Monaghan as he left the stadium on the Hebron Road, and he was charged under sections 4 and 6 of the Public Order Act. On Monday 15 June 2026 at Kilkenny District Court, Monaghan, having admitted two counts of assault, was sentenced to five months in prison suspended for 18 months, with conditions including a payment of €2,000 to Ballyhale Shamrocks within six months and a ban from Nowlan Park for the sentence period.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced15 Jun
2 reports
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Brendan Monaghan entered the pitch after the game ended and struck hurler Adrian Mullen three times on the head, while Mullen was wearing a helmet.
- Monaghan picked up a hurl and attempted to strike hurler TJ Reid, but was restrained by a Kilcormac Killoughey player.
- Where
- The assaults took place at Nowlan Park in Kilkenny.
- When
- The assaults took place on 9 November 2025.
- Cause
- The assaults took place at the end of a senior club quarter final between Shamrocks Ballyhale and Kilcormac Killoughey.
- Investigation
- The incident was captured on television by TG4.
- Garda Inspector Paul Donohoe apprehended Monaghan as he left the stadium on the Hebron Road.
- Charges
- Monaghan was charged under sections 4 and 6 of the Public Order Act.
- In court
- Monaghan admitted two counts of assault contrary to section 2 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, and to being intoxicated in a public place and engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour at Nowlan Park.
- The case was heard at Kilkenny District Court on Monday 15 June 2026, where Inspector Paul Donohoe gave evidence and a probation report was before the court.
- Other details
- Monaghan said he was very sorry for what he did.
- Sentence
- Monaghan was convicted and sentenced to five months in prison, suspended for 18 months.
- Monaghan must pay €2,000 to Ballyhale Shamrocks within six months and must not attend Nowlan Park for the duration of the sentence.
22 statements extracted from the articles
- whatBrendan Monaghan admitted two counts of assault contrary to section 2 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. (kilkennypeople.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- whatMonaghan entered the pitch after the game ended and struck hurler Adrian Mullen three times on the head. (kilkennypeople.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- whatMonaghan picked up a hurl and attempted to strike TJ Reid but was restrained by a Kilcormac Killoughey player. (kilkennypeople.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe assaults took place at Nowlan Park. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whereThe offences took place at Nowlan Park. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe assaults took place on 9 November 2025. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred on 9 November 2025. (offalyexpress.ie)
- causeThe assaults took place at the end of a senior club quarter final between Shamrocks Ballyhale and Kilcormac Killoughey. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationThe incident was captured on television by TG4. (kilkennypeople.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationGarda Inspector Paul Donohoe apprehended Monaghan as he left the stadium on the Hebron Road. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- chargeMonaghan was charged under sections 4 and 6 of the Public Order Act. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- chargeA direction was given for assault charges against Adrian Mullen and TJ Reid. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- chargeMonaghan was apprehended as he left the stadium and was charged under sections 4 and 6 of the Public Order Act. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtInspector Paul Donohoe gave evidence at Kilkenny District Court. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- courtA probation report was before the court. (kilkennypeople.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Kilkenny District Court on a Monday afternoon. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceMonaghan was sentenced to five months in prison, suspended for 18 months. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- sentenceMonaghan must pay €2,000 within six months to Ballyhale Shamrocks. (kilkennypeople.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceMonaghan must not attend Nowlan Park for the duration of the sentence. (kilkennypeople.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceMonaghan was convicted and sentenced to five months in prison, suspended for 18 months. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherAdrian Mullen was wearing a helmet at the time. (kilkennypeople.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- otherMonaghan said he was very sorry for what he did. (kilkennypeople.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 15 Jun2026Offaly man receives suspended sentence for assault on hurlers at Nowlan Park
Court report of the sentencing of Brendan Monaghan for the 9 November 2025 assaults on hurlers Adrian Mullen and TJ Reid at Nowlan Park. No earlier report of this incident appears in the existing cases.
convicted, Brendan Monaghan, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brendan Monaghanvictim, Adrian Mullen, irish (judged from name)Adrian Mullenvictim, TJ Reid, irish (judged from name)TJ Reid - 15 Jun2026Suspended sentence for assault on hurlers at Kilkenny's Nowlan Park
Reports the sentencing at Kilkenny District Court, including the charges, the court's conditions and the defendant's apology. No existing case in the list covers this November 2025 incident.
convicted, Brendan Monaghan, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brendan Monaghanvictim, Adrian Mullen, irish (judged from name)Adrian Mullenvictim, TJ Reid, irish (judged from name)TJ Reid