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. 9197Violent disorder and affray · Co. Longford · 11 Jun 2024

Three co-accused plead guilty over Longford service station altercation

On 11 June 2024, Jim Hannifin, a 19-year-old man, was stabbed during a violent altercation on the forecourt of Gala Service Station on the Dublin Road, Longford. Willie McGinley (23), Denis Hannifin (23) and Jim Hannifin (19) were co-accused over the incident. Denis and Jim Hannifin pleaded guilty to violent disorder and affray, and Willie McGinley pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of affray, at Longford Circuit Court, as reported on 4 June 2026. The three men were directed to make charitable contributions to avoid prison sentences, and on 6 June 2026 Mr McGinley said he had €1,000 in court and could collect a further €4,000 by July.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted6 Jun
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Jim Hannifin suffered a 12-inch chest laceration with significant blood loss after being stabbed.
Where
The altercation took place on the forecourt of Gala Service Station on the Dublin Road, Longford.
When
The incident took place on 11 June 2024.
Cause
Each side made cross complaints against the other.
Weapon
No weapon was recovered.
Investigation
  • Gardaí obtained CCTV footage from the service station that captured the incident.
  • A search warrant for the Hannifins' residence found nothing of evidential value.
Charges
  • Willie McGinley pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of affray; he had also been charged with a Section 3 assault from the same incident.
  • A more serious violent disorder charge was replaced by affray and made subject to a nolle prosequi.
  • Denis Hannifin and Jim Hannifin pleaded guilty to violent disorder and affray.
In court
The guilty pleas were entered at Longford Circuit Court, as reported on 4 June 2026.
Sentence
  • The three co-accused men were directed to make charitable contributions to avoid prison sentences.
  • Mr McGinley said he had €1,000 in court and could collect a further €4,000 by July.
Other details
Denis Hannifin and Jim Hannifin are currently living in the UK.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatJim Hannifin suffered a 12-inch chest laceration with significant blood loss after being stabbed. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe altercation happened on the forecourt of Gala Service Station on the Dublin Road, Longford. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe incident took place on 11 June 2024. (longfordleader.ie)
  • causeEach side made cross complaints against the other. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí obtained CCTV footage from the service station that captured the incident. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationA search warrant was obtained for the Hannifins' residence but nothing of evidential value was found. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeWillie McGinley pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of affray. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeWillie McGinley had also been charged with a Section 3 assault from the same incident. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeA more serious violent disorder charge had been replaced by affray and was subject to a nolle prosequi. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeDenis Hannifin and Jim Hannifin pleaded guilty to violent disorder and affray. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe three co-accused men have been directed to make charitable contributions to avoid prison sentences. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceMr McGinley said he had €1,000 in court and could collect a further €4,000 by July. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherNo weapon was recovered. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherDenis and Jim Hannifin are currently living in the UK. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 6 Jun2026
    Convictedlongfordleader.ie, first report
    'Pretty hostile': Man stabbed twice during violent Longford feud altercation

    Reports the guilty pleas at Longford Circuit Court, the reduced affray charge, the stabbing evidence and the direction to make charitable contributions instead of prison.

    convicted, Willie McGinley, 23, male, named, irish (judged from name)Willie McGinleyconvicted, Denis Hannifin, 23, male, named, irish (judged from name)Denis Hannifinconvicted, Jim Hannifin, 19, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jim Hannifin