Ireland Two Lanesboro neighbours before Longford court over April 2024 dispute
On Monday 28 April 2024 at about 10:30pm, at the Cnoc na Gaoithe estate in Lanesboro, Longford, a dispute between neighbours Michael Fox (45) and Ovitta Chinenya (38) led to both men being arrested. Fox was charged with unlawful damage to a front door, threatening and abusive behaviour, and possession of an iron bar, and Chinenya was charged with possession of a blade with a sharp point. At Longford District Court the judge said she was not satisfied the incident was self-defence, and Chinenya was directed to take part in a restorative justice programme and pay €750 to the Little Blue Heroes charity. At the latest reported appearance in April 2025, Fox's matter was adjourned for a probation report and Chinenya's final decision was set for 10 June 2025.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court3 Apr
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- Where
- The incident took place at the Cnoc na Gaoithe estate in Lanesboro, Longford.
- When
- The incident occurred on Monday 28 April 2024 at about 10:30pm.
- What happened
- The men involved were neighbours, Michael Fox (45) and Ovitta Chinenya (38).
- Other details
- Fox lived at 20 Cnoc na Gaoithe and Chinenya at 16 Cnoc na Gaoithe.
- Fox made a full admission in an interview the next morning.
- Cause
- The call to gardaí related to an ongoing issue in the estate.
- Weapon
- Fox had a two-foot iron bar, part of a scaffolding pole.
- Chinenya had two knives in his hand when a garda saw him coming out of number 16.
- Investigation
- Fox and Chinenya were both arrested on 28 April 2024, with Fox handcuffed after being pepper sprayed and struck on the wrist with a baton.
- Charges
- Fox was charged with unlawful damage to a front door, threatening and abusive behaviour, and possession of an iron bar.
- Chinenya was charged with possession of a blade with a sharp point.
- In court
- Both men appeared at Longford District Court before Judge Bernadette Owens, and the judge said she was not satisfied the incident was self-defence.
- Chinenya's solicitor said his client accepted all aspects of the incident.
- The judge said she would direct a probation report before finalising Fox's matter, which was reported as adjourned for that report.
- Chinenya's final decision is due on 10 June 2025.
- Sentence
- Chinenya was directed to take part in a restorative justice programme and to pay €750 to the Little Blue Heroes charity.
18 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe incident took place at the Cnoc na Gaoithe estate in Lanesboro, Longford. (longfordleader.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred on Monday 28 April 2024 at about 10:30pm. (longfordleader.ie)
- causeThe call to gardaí related to an ongoing issue in the estate. (longfordleader.ie)
- weaponFox had a two-foot iron bar, part of a scaffolding pole. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationFox and Chinenya were both arrested on 28 April 2024. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationFox was handcuffed and arrested after being pepper sprayed and struck on the wrist with a baton. (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeFox was charged with unlawful damage to a front door, threatening and abusive behaviour, and possession of an iron bar. (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeChinenya was charged with possession of a blade with a sharp point. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe judge said she would direct the preparation of a probation report before finalising Fox's matter. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtChinenya's solicitor said his client accepted all aspects of the incident. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe judge said she was not satisfied the incident was self-defence. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtChinenya's final decision is due on 10 June 2025. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceChinenya was directed to take part in a restorative justice programme before the final decision. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceChinenya was directed to pay €750 to the Little Blue Heroes charity. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherChinenya had two knives in his hand when the garda saw him coming out of number 16. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherFox made a full admission in an interview the next morning. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherFox's solicitor said he had struggled with mental health issues and was off his medication at the time. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherFox had eight previous convictions, four of them for road traffic matters. (longfordleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 3 Apr2025Two Longford neighbours in the midst of a dispute are set to return to court once again
Court report on the case: Fox and Chinenya both appeared at Longford District Court. Fox's matter was adjourned for a probation report, and Chinenya's final decision is due on 10 June 2025 after a restorative justice direction. Fox's charges and the incident details are set out.
accused, Michael Fox, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Foxaccused, Ovitta Chinenya, 38, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Ovitta Chinenya