Sunday 1 November 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. 21001Assault; violent disorder; possession of a knife · Co. Longford · 28 Apr 2022

Three sent for trial over assault and violent disorder in Longford

Francis Gavin, a 34-year-old man, was allegedly kicked 15 to 20 times on the ground in the Ballymahon Street area of Longford town shortly before 2pm on 28 April 2022 while attempting to buy items for his 12-year-old son ahead of a holiday to Spain. Julie Stokes, 52, Leveda Stokes, 23, and Billy Stokes, 32, were charged with assault and violent disorder, with Julie Stokes also facing a charge of possessing a knife. In May 2023, all three were served with books of evidence at Longford District Court, the DPP consented to their being sent forward for trial at Longford Circuit Criminal Court, and the presiding judge issued alibi warnings to each accused.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court29 Dec
    3 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Francis Gavin was allegedly kicked 15 to 20 times on the ground while attempting to buy items for his son ahead of a holiday to Spain.
  • The suspects allegedly arrived in a silver Ford Focus and a man came out of the car swinging boxes.
  • Francis Gavin sustained cuts and bruises and his 12-year-old son ran into Eurogiant during the attack.
Where
The alleged assault took place in the Ballymahon Street area of Longford town in broad daylight.
When
The incident occurred shortly before 2pm on 28 April 2022.
Charges
  • Julie Stokes and Leveda Stokes are charged with assault and violent disorder, and Julie Stokes is also charged with possessing a knife.
  • Billy Stokes is charged with a section 3 assault on Francis Gavin and with violent disorder.
In court
  • All three accused were served with books of evidence at Longford District Court in May 2023.
  • The DPP consented to the three being sent forward for trial at Longford Circuit Criminal Court.
  • The presiding judge gave all three accused an alibi warning with 14 days to notify the State solicitor's office.
Other details
Francis Gavin has previous court appearances for shoplifting and driving offences.
29 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatFrancis Gavin was kicked around 15 to 20 times on the ground (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatThe suspects arrived in a silver Ford Focus car (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatThe man came out of the car swinging boxes (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatFrancis's son ran into Eurogiant during the attack (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatFrancis sustained cuts and bruises from the incident (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatFrancis was attempting to buy items for his son ahead of a holiday to Spain (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatFrancis is a father of one (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatFrancis is 34 years old (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe incident took place in the Ballymahon Street area of Longford town (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe alleged assault took place in the middle of Longford town in broad daylight. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe accused are alleged to have assaulted Francis Gavin at Ballymahon Street. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe alleged assault took place in the middle of Longford town. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe assault occurred shortly before 2pm on 28 April 2022 (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred on April 28, 2022. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe alleged incident occurred on April 28, 2022. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeJulie Stokes and Leveda Stokes are charged with assault and violent disorder. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeJulie Stokes is also charged with allegedly possessing a knife during the alleged incident. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeBilly Stokes is charged with a section 3 assault on Francis Gavin and with violent disorder. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeJulie Stokes and Leveda Stokes are accused of assaulting Francis Gavin at Ballymahon Street and of violent disorder. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe three accused were served with books of evidence at Longford District Court. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe Director of Public Prosecutions consented to the three being sent forward for trial. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe State requested that each accused appear before a sitting of Longford Circuit Criminal Court. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtAll three accused were given an alibi warning by the presiding judge. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtJulie Stokes and Leveda Stokes were served with a book of evidence at Longford District Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtBilly Stokes was also served with a book of evidence. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe DPP consented to the three accused being sent forward for trial. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtAll three accused were given an alibi warning and have 14 days to notify the State solicitor's office if they wish to rely on an alibi. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherFrancis's son has not come down to Longford since the incident (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherFrancis has previous court appearances for shoplifting and driving offences (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 May2023
    In courtoffalyexpress.ie, its first report
    Two women and a man to stand trial accused of assaulting man in broad daylight in the Midlands

    Reports the three accused being sent forward for trial. Incident date is given as April 28, 2022, which predates the article by about a year.

    accused, Julie Stokes, 52, female, named, irish (judged from name)Julie Stokesaccused, Leveda Stokes, 23, female, named, irish (judged from name)Leveda Stokesaccused, Billy Stokes, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Billy Stokesvictim, Francis Gavin, male, irish (judged from name)Francis Gavin
  2. 17 May2023
    In courtlongfordleader.ie, follow-up
    Trio to stand trial accused of assaulting man in Longford town in broad daylight

    Reports the three accused being served books of evidence and sent forward for trial at Longford Circuit Criminal Court, with alibi warnings given by the judge. Names Billy Stokes's address and charges and confirms the DPP consented to the trial.

    victim, Francis Gavin, male, irish (judged from name)Francis Gavinaccused, Julie Stokes, 52, female, named, irish (judged from name)Julie Stokesaccused, Leveda Stokes, 23, female, named, irish (judged from name)Leveda Stokesaccused, Billy Stokes, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Billy Stokes
  3. 29 Dec2022
    In courtlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Looking back at 2022: July - Longford assault victim living in fear

    A 'Looking back at 2022' feature providing Francis Gavin's personal account of the April 2022 assault, including details about the silver Ford Focus, the number of kicks, the man swinging boxes, his son running into Eurogiant, and the lasting impact on his family.

    victim, Francis Gavin, 34, male, irish (judged from name)Francis Gavinvictim, 12, malesuspect, femalesuspect, femalesuspect, male