Thursday 5 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. 29541Section 3 assault (causing harm); criminal damage · Co. Laois · 16 Apr 2018

Trial abandoned in Ballymahon assault and criminal damage case

On 16 April 2018, Stephen Penrose of Balroe, Ballynacargy, County Westmeath, is charged with section 3 assault causing harm to Natasha Egan at her home in Ballymahon and with criminal damage to the outside door of a property at St Matthews Park. Penrose accepts he caused damage to the kitchen door inside the house but denies the outside door damage and the assault. The trial at Longford Circuit Court sitting in Mullingar was abandoned on 21 October 2021 when key witness Noel Connolly failed to appear, prompting Judge Johnson to discharge the jury. Penrose was remanded on bail to the January sittings of Longford Circuit Court for a priority retrial.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court21 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Penrose is charged with section 3 assault causing harm to Natasha Egan and criminal damage to the outside door of a property at St Matthews Park.
  • Penrose accepts he caused damage to the kitchen door inside the house but denies the outside door damage and the assault.
Where
The incident occurred at a property in Ballymahon, County Laois.
When
The assault took place on 16 April 2018.
Investigation
A bench warrant for key witness Noel Connolly's arrest proved unsuccessful as gardaí could not determine his whereabouts, and the warrant remains active.
In court
  • The trial was held at Longford Circuit Court sitting in Mullingar, with evidence from Ms Egan, her sister Andrea, and Garda witnesses.
  • Judge Johnson discharged the jury and abandoned the trial on 21 October 2021 when key witness Noel Connolly failed to appear.
Sentence
Penrose was remanded on bail to the January sittings of Longford Circuit Court for a priority retrial.
Other details
Bail conditions include no contact with the victim or witnesses, signing on at Mullingar Garda Station every Wednesday and Saturday, being contactable 24/7, staying away from the victim's address in Kenagh, and giving advance notice before travelling to Kenagh.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatPenrose accepts he caused damage to the kitchen door inside the house. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatPenrose denies all damage to the outside door and the assault on Ms Egan. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereStephen Penrose is from Balroe, Ballynacargy, County Westmeath. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe assault took place on 16 April 2018. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationA bench warrant for Connolly's arrest proved unsuccessful as gardaí could not determine his whereabouts. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationA warrant remains active for Mr Connolly. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargePenrose is charged with section 3 assault causing harm to Natasha Egan. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargePenrose is also charged with criminal damage to the outside door of the property at St Matthews Park. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe trial was being held at Longford Circuit Court sitting in Mullingar. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtEvidence was given by Ms Egan, her sister Andrea, and a number of Garda witnesses. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtKey witness Noel Connolly did not appear in court on Wednesday when summoned. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtJudge Johnson abandoned the trial, saying it was the first time in ten years on the bench he had to discharge a jury due to a witness's absence. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtPenrose was remanded on bail to the January sittings of Longford Circuit Court for a priority retrial. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtBail conditions include no contact with the victim or any witnesses, signing on every Wednesday and Saturday at Mullingar Garda Station, being contactable 24/7, staying away from the victim's address in Kenagh, and giving advance notice to gardaí before travelling to Kenagh. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 21 Oct2021
    In courtlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Longford Circuit Court judge abandons trial due to absence of 'crucial' witness

    Reports the abandonment of the trial due to the absence of key witness Noel Connolly, the bail conditions imposed on Penrose, and the remand to the January sittings for retrial.

    victim, Natasha Egan, female, irish (judged from name)Natasha Eganaccused, Stephen Penrose, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen Penrose