Thursday 29 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. 9848Assault · Co. Laois · 1 Sep 2024

Social care worker convicted of Portlaoise assault, lodges appeal

On 1 September 2024, Derek McNamara, a 38-year-old man who works as a social care worker, was charged with assault causing harm after an assault at Market Square, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. He appeared before Portlaoise District Court, where Judge Susan Fay convicted him and imposed 80 hours of community service in lieu of four months in prison. The judge also fixed recognisance in case of appeal. The latest development is that an appeal against the conviction was lodged shortly afterwards.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced30 Apr
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Derek McNamara, a 38-year-old man, was charged with assault causing harm against a man.
Where
The assault took place at Market Square, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.
When
  • The assault took place on 1 September 2024.
  • The case was reported on 30 April 2026 in the tracker and in an article published on 3 May 2026.
Other details
  • Derek McNamara works as a social care worker and was Garda vetted.
  • A solicitor, Josphine Fitzpatrick, asked the court not to impose a conviction.
  • Derek McNamara had engaged with restorative justice and the probation service.
  • A €3,000 sum agreed in the restorative justice process was available in court.
  • An appeal against the conviction was lodged shortly afterwards.
In court
  • Derek McNamara appeared before Portlaoise District Court.
  • Judge Susan Fay convicted Derek McNamara and described the assault as very serious.
Sentence
  • The court imposed 80 hours of community service in lieu of four months in prison.
  • The judge fixed recognisance in case of appeal.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe assault took place at Market Square, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe assault took place on 1 September 2024. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeDerek McNamara was charged with assault causing harm. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtDerek McNamara appeared before Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Susan Fay decided to convict the man. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe court imposed 80 hours of community service in lieu of four months in prison. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherA solicitor asked the court not to impose a conviction. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe accused had engaged with restorative justice and the probation service. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherA €3,000 sum agreed in the restorative justice process was available in court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe judge described the assault as very serious. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe accused works as a social care worker and was Garda vetted. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe judge fixed recognisance in case of appeal. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherAn appeal against the conviction was lodged shortly afterwards. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 Apr2026
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Social worker appeals conviction for assault in Laois

    Court report of the sentencing of Derek McNamara. It adds the conviction, the 80-hour community service sentence in lieu of four months in prison, the appeal against conviction, and the restorative justice and €3,000 details. No earlier case in the list matches.

    convicted, Derek McNamara, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Derek McNamara