Ireland Case No. 21889Assault; public order offence (threatening and abusive behaviour) · Co. Longford · 21 Feb 2022
Twin sisters Nicole and Tia Keenan sentenced for assaulting Rosaleen Ward in Longford
Nicole and Tia Keenan, both 22, were sentenced at Longford District Court for assaulting Rosaleen Ward on 21 February 2022 at Main Street, Longford, after abandoning a young child in a buggy to attack her. Nicole received seven months' imprisonment (two months suspended) and Tia received six months suspended for two years.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced15 Mar
2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports37 statements extracted from the articles
- whatNicole and Tia Keenan, both 22, are of 82 Ardnacassa Avenue, Longford (longfordleader.ie)
- whatGarda Noelle Fahy and a male colleague came across the incident after noticing a man and a woman at the passenger door of a car (longfordleader.ie)
- whatTwo women were on top of a third woman inside the car (longfordleader.ie)
- whatCCTV showed Garda Fahy forcibly dragging Nicole Keenan from the car before arresting her (longfordleader.ie)
- whatTia Keenan was in the rear of the vehicle and was arrested later that day (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe attack took place in broad daylight in full view of shocked bystanders (longfordleader.ie)
- whatMs Ward said she no longer felt at ease when out in public (longfordleader.ie)
- whatMs Ward said she feels extra vulnerable now that she is pregnant (longfordleader.ie)
- whatMs Ward said she has been left with multiple scars on her arms and hip (longfordleader.ie)
- whatMs Ward said her hair has been falling out over the stress (longfordleader.ie)
- whatDefence counsel Frank Gearty said the pair perceived the other parties initiated matters by pulling faces and taking pictures (longfordleader.ie)
- whatMr Gearty said his clients were open to the possibility of starting mediation (longfordleader.ie)
- whatThe twin sisters abandoned a young child in a buggy to attack the victim (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe sisters were also charged with threatening and abusive behaviour on the same date (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatGarda Fahy saw two women on top of a third woman inside the car (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe victim said she no longer felt at ease when out in public (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe victim said she feels extra vulnerable now that she is pregnant (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe victim said she has multiple scars on her arms and hip (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe attack took place in broad daylight in full view of bystanders (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationGarda Noelle Fahy and a male colleague came across the incident after noticing a man and woman at a car door (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationCCTV footage showed Garda Fahy forcibly dragging Nicole Keenan from the car before arresting her (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeThey were charged with assaulting Rosaleen Ward on 21 February 2022 at Main Street, Longford (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeThey were also charged with engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour on the same date (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeBoth section 6 public order charges for both women were taken into consideration (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThey appeared at a special sitting of Longford District Court (longfordleader.ie)
- courtJudge Deane said it was an aggravating factor that Nicole left her child without any care on the main street (longfordleader.ie)
- courtNicole Keenan immediately lodged an appeal after recognisances were fixed at €600 own bond and a €200 cash bond (longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe judge noted it was an aggravating factor that Nicole left her child without care on the main street (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtNicole Keenan immediately lodged an appeal after recognisances were fixed (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge imposed a no-contact condition on the pair regarding the victim (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceTia Keenan, who had no previous convictions, was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceNicole Keenan was sentenced to seven months in prison, with the final two months suspended for two years (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceJudge Deane imposed a condition on the pair to have no contact, direct or indirect, with Ms Ward (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceTia Keenan was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherTia Keenan had no previous convictions (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherDefence counsel Frank Gearty said the clients perceived the other parties initiated matters by pulling faces and taking pictures (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe defence was open to the possibility of starting mediation between the families (offalyexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 16 Mar2023Twin sisters in the Midlands sentenced after abandoning child to attack victim
Sentencing report detailing the judge's comments, the victim impact statement, the specific sentences imposed, and Nicole Keenan's immediate appeal.
victim, Rosaleen Ward, female, irish (judged from name)Rosaleen Wardconvicted, Nicole Keenan, 22, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nicole Keenanconvicted, Tia Keenan, 22, female, named, irish (judged from name)Tia Keenan - 15 Mar2023Longford twin sisters sentenced after abandoning child to attack victim
Full sentencing details including victim impact statement, defence arguments, judge's comments, specific sentences, Nicole's immediate appeal, and a no-contact condition imposed on both sisters.
victim, Rosaleen Ward, female, irish (judged from name)Rosaleen Wardconvicted, Nicole Keenan, 22, female, named, irish (judged from name)Nicole Keenanconvicted, Tia Keenan, 22, female, named, irish (judged from name)Tia Keenan