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. 10501Violent disorder · Co. Longford · 9 Mar 2026

Two charged with violent disorder in Longford appear in court

A brawl involving a group of people known to each other broke out on Main Street, Longford, on Monday 9 March 2026, shortly before 1pm. Gardaí arrested two women and a man, all in their 20s, and all three have been charged, with the two named defendants, Martin Ward and Mary Lou Stokes, accused of violent disorder. The three were due to appear before Longford District Court on Tuesday 10 March, where the defendants were remanded on bail with conditions barring contact with the injured parties. The case was latest adjourned to 12 May.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Charged9 Mar
  4. In court13 Mar
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A group of people known to each other became involved in a violent brawl.
  • Videos show a van nearly hitting a man during the brawl.
Weapon
One video shows an individual waving what looks to be a black baton during a confrontation.
Where
The violence was mainly centred on a car parked on Main Street, Longford, and briefly spilled onto the road.
When
The brawl happened on Monday 9 March 2026, just before 1pm.
Cause
The pair, along with others, is alleged to have been involved in a disturbance on the street involving a group of people who know each other.
Investigation
  • Gardaí arrested two women and a man, all in their 20s, a short time after the incident, and one of the women was detained in a separate garda station.
  • Gardaí will not provide further information because the matter is before the courts.
Charges
  • All three people arrested have been charged.
  • Martin Ward and Mary Lou Stokes, both in their 20s, are accused of violent disorder, namely using threatening unlawful violence against another person.
In court
  • All three were due to appear before Longford District Court on Tuesday 10 March, though a report published 13 March says the two named defendants appeared the previous week.
  • Court reports differ on the plea: one says the defendants made no reply after being cautioned and the charges were put to them, while another refers to a guilty plea by a Mr Devaney, whose link to the case is not stated.
  • The judge remanded the defendants on bail with strict conditions, including making no contact directly or indirectly with the injured parties.
  • The case was adjourned to 12 May.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA group of people known to each other became involved in a violent brawl. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatVideos show a van nearly hitting a man during the brawl. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatOne video shows an individual waving what looks to be a black baton during a confrontation. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe violence was mainly centred around a car parked on Main Street and briefly spilled onto the road. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe offence is alleged to have happened on Main Street, Longford. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred on Longford's Main Street on Monday 9 March. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe brawl happened just before 1pm. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe offence is alleged to have happened on 9 March. (longfordleader.ie)
  • causeThe pair, along with others, is alleged to have been involved in a disturbance on the street involving a group of people who know each other. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí arrested two women and a man, all in their 20s, in relation to the incident. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí will not provide further information because the matter is before the courts. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí arrested two women and a man, including the two defendants, a short time after the incident. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeAll three people arrested have been charged. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeTwo defendants are accused of violent disorder, namely using threatening unlawful violence against another person. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtAll three are due to appear before Longford District Court on Tuesday 10 March. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe defendants made no reply after being cautioned and the charges were put to them. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe judge remanded the defendants on bail with strict conditions. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe bail conditions include making no contact directly or indirectly with the injured parties. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned to 12 May. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe second arrested woman was detained in a separate garda station. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 13 Mar2026
    In courtlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Pair charged with violent disorder offence in Longford appear in court

    First report of the court appearance of two defendants charged with violent disorder after a street disturbance in Longford town; no earlier case in the list matches.

    accused, Martin Ward, 20s, male, named, irish (judged from name)Martin Wardaccused, Mary Lou Stokes, 20s, female, named, irish (judged from name)Mary Lou Stokes
  2. 9 Mar2026
    Chargedlongfordleader.ie, follow-up
    VIDEO: Violent brawl on Longford's Main Street. 3 arrested and charged

    Reports that all three people arrested, two women and a man in their 20s, have been charged and will appear at Longford District Court on Tuesday 10 March. Existing case 10501 names two people charged with violent disorder. This article adds that a third person was charged and describes the brawl and the videos of it. It names no one.

    accused, 20s, femaleaccused, 20s, femaleaccused, 20s, male