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. 20460Assault causing harm · Co. Galway · 1 Jul 2021

Two Galway farmers plead not guilty over alleged farmyard assault

An alleged assault took place on 1 July 2021 at Cahermore, Kinvara, Co Galway, in a farmyard. Brendan Forde (52) is charged with assault causing harm of Brian Gill (40), and with producing an iron bar in the course of a dispute; Mr Gill is charged with assaulting Mr Forde on the same date. The dispute reportedly arose from a belief that a 13-year-old boy was driving a tractor. At Gort District Court, reported on 4 July 2023, both men pleaded not guilty before Judge Alec Gabbett, who said a special session would be required, and the case was adjourned to next month for a hearing date to be fixed later in the year.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court4 Jul
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Brendan Forde (52) is charged with assault causing harm of Brian Gill (40).
  • The allegation is that Mr Forde took up an iron bar and Mr Gill was injured.
Where
The alleged assault took place at Cahermore, Kinvara, Co Galway, in a farmyard.
When
The alleged assault took place on 1 July 2021.
Cause
The dispute reportedly arose from a belief that a 13-year-old boy was driving a tractor.
Weapon
The weapon alleged is an iron bar.
Charges
  • Mr Forde is also charged with producing an iron bar in the course of a dispute.
  • Mr Gill is charged with assaulting Mr Forde on the same date.
In court
  • The case was heard at Gort District Court before Judge Alec Gabbett.
  • Both men pleaded not guilty to the charges.
  • The judge said the case will require a special session, and that he would hear evidence from eight witnesses.
  • The case was adjourned to next month for a hearing date to be fixed later in the year.
Other details
The judge was told the two families concerned were once very close friends.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatBrendan Forde is charged with assault causing harm of Brian Gill. (clareecho.ie)
  • whatThe allegation is that Brendan Forde took up an iron bar and Mr Gill was injured. (clareecho.ie)
  • whereThe alleged assault took place at Cahermore, Kinvara, Co Galway. (clareecho.ie)
  • whenThe alleged assault took place on July 1st 2021. (clareecho.ie)
  • causeThe dispute arose from a belief that a 13-year-old boy was driving a tractor. (clareecho.ie)
  • chargeBrendan Forde is also charged with producing an iron bar in the course of a dispute. (clareecho.ie)
  • chargeBrian Gill faces a charge of assaulting Brendan Forde on the same date. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Gort District Court before Judge Alec Gabbett. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtBoth accused are pleading not guilty to the charges. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe judge said the case will require a special session. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned to next month to fix a hearing date later in the year. (clareecho.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 4 Jul2023
    In courtclareecho.ie, first report
    Judge describes farmers' farm-yard assault as an "epic district court case' - Clare Echo

    First report of this case. Brendan Forde is charged with assault causing harm and producing an iron bar, and Brian Gill faces a charge of assaulting Forde. Both pleaded not guilty and the case was adjourned to next month for a hearing date to be fixed.

    accused, Brendan Forde, 52, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brendan Fordeaccused, Brian Gill, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brian Gill