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. 20173Assault causing harm · Co. Longford · 11 Jun 2023

Three teenagers charged over assault on GAA club official in Longford

On 11 June 2023, at around 5.30pm, a man in his 50s who is a club official was allegedly assaulted at Longford Slashers' home grounds at Michael Fay Park in Longford town, shortly before a match against Mostrim. Gardaí found him with a large lump over his right eye and facial area, and he identified three teenagers: two under 18 who cannot be named, and Dione Higgins, aged 18. All three were arrested and charged with assault causing harm. In late July 2023 they appeared in court, where the judge accepted jurisdiction for the District Court, and all three were remanded on continuing bail to Longford District Court on 10 October.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court26 Jul
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Three teenagers were charged with allegedly assaulting a man in his 50s who is a club official.
  • One accused allegedly approached the victim from behind and struck him over the right side of his eye.
  • One youth allegedly put their head into the forehead of the victim.
Where
The alleged assault took place within the grounds of Longford Slashers' home grounds at Michael Fay Park, Longford town.
When
The alleged incident happened on 11 June 2023 at around 5.30pm, just before Longford Slashers and Mostrim were due to play a match.
Cause
No weapon was used in the alleged incident.
Investigation
  • Gardaí were called after a report that a man had been assaulted at the GAA grounds and found the victim with a large lump over his right eye and facial area.
  • The victim said he saw three youths who appeared to be smashing glass while he was preparing the grounds, and he identified all three accused.
  • The prosecution holds medical reports and photographs of the victim's injuries.
Charges
The three accused were arrested and charged with assault causing harm to the club official, with two of them under 18 and not named.
In court
  • The three accused appeared in court in late July 2023, and the judge said she was satisfied to accept jurisdiction so the case can be heard in the District Court.
  • A defence solicitor sought disclosure of all prosecution statements and exhibits.
  • All three accused were remanded on continuing bail to Longford District Court on 10 October.
Other details
The two accused under 18 are from Longford and cannot be named.
31 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatOne of the youths allegedly put their head into the forehead of the GAA official. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatOne of the accused allegedly approached the victim from behind and struck him over the right side of his eye. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatThree teenagers appeared in court charged with allegedly assaulting a club official at a GAA grounds in Longford town. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatOne youth allegedly put their head into the forehead of the GAA official. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatOne accused allegedly approached the victim from behind and struck him over the right side of his eye. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe alleged assault took place within the grounds of Longford Slashers' home grounds at Michael Fay Park. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe alleged assault happened within Longford Slashers' home grounds at Michael Fay Park. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe alleged incident took place at around 5:30pm. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe incident took place just before Longford Slashers and Mostrim were due to play a match. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe alleged incident happened on June 11. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • causeNo weapon was used in the alleged incident. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí were called after a report that a man had been assaulted at the GAA grounds. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí found the alleged victim with a large lump over his right eye and facial area. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationThe alleged victim said he saw three youths who appeared to be smashing glass while preparing the grounds. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationThe injured man identified all three accused. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationThe prosecution had medical reports and photographs of the victim's injuries. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí received a report that a man had been assaulted at the GAA grounds. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe prosecution received medical reports and photographs of the victim's injuries. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe victim identified all three accused. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeTwo accused under 18 appeared in court charged with assault causing harm to the official. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeThe accused were charged with assault causing harm to the official. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThree teenagers appeared in court charged with allegedly assaulting a club official. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe judge accepted jurisdiction, so the case could be heard and disposed of in the District Court. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtA defence solicitor sought disclosure of all prosecution statements and exhibits. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtAll three accused were remanded on continuing bail to Longford District Court on October 10. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge said she was satisfied to accept jurisdiction, so the case can be heard in the District Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe incident happened just before Longford Slashers and Mostrim were due to play a match. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe victim said he was preparing the grounds ahead of an upcoming match. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe victim said he saw three youths who appeared to be smashing glass. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe victim had a large lump over his right eye and facial area. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherTwo accused are from Longford, are under 18 and cannot be named. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 28 Jul2023
    In courtoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Teenage trio appear in court over alleged assault GAA club chairman at ground in the Midlands

    Court report on the charging and remand of three teenagers over the alleged assault on a GAA club official at Longford Slashers' grounds. Two accused are under 18 and cannot be named. The victim is not named.

    victim, 50s, maleaccusedaccusedaccused, Dione Higgins, 18, male, named, irish (judged from name)Dione Higgins
  2. 26 Jul2023
    In courtlongfordleader.ie, follow-up
    Teenage trio appear in court over alleged assault of Longford Slashers clubman

    Adds the court appearance: three accused charged, Dione Higgins (18) named, two accused under 18 unnamed, and the case remanded on continuing bail to 10 October. Also adds details of the alleged assault and the prosecution evidence.

    victim, 50s, maleaccused, under 18accused, under 18accused, Dione Higgins, 18, male, named, irish (judged from name)Dione Higgins