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. 10592Obstruction of a Garda · Co. Longford · 21 Dec 2024

Two men charged over obstruction of Garda during Longford car park drug search

Pierre Stokes and Tom Stokes are charged with unlawfully obstructing Garda John Hanley during a drug search at Annaly car park in Longford on 21 December 2024. Pierre Stokes is accused of taking off running when told of a Section 23 Misuse of Drugs Act search and passing a package to his co-accused, and Tom Stokes is accused of receiving that package and running from gardaí. The matter was adjourned at Longford District Court and both men were listed to be heard again there. The latest development is that both men were ordered to re-appear before Longford District Court on 10 March 2026, as reported on 7 March 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court7 Mar
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Pierre Stokes is accused of unlawfully obstructing Garda John Hanley as he attempted to carry out a drug search.
  • Tom Stokes is accused of unlawfully obstructing Garda Hanley during a Section 23 Misuse of Drugs Act search.
Where
The incident took place at Annaly car park in Longford.
When
The incident occurred on 21 December 2024.
Other details
  • Pierre Stokes allegedly took off running when informed of a search and passed a package to his co-accused.
  • Tom Stokes allegedly received a package from his co-accused and ran from gardaí.
In court
  • Both men appeared before Longford District Court, where Judge Bernadette Owens adjourned the matter.
  • A solicitor went off record to discuss a matter about files being provided to another solicitor.
  • The prosecution said Detective Sergeant Charles was an essential witness who was in the Circuit Court in Dublin.
  • Both men were ordered to re-appear before Longford District Court on 10 March 2026.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe incident took place at Annaly car park in Longford. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred on 21 December 2024. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargePierre Stokes is accused of unlawfully obstructing Garda John Hanley as he attempted to carry out a drug search. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeTom Stokes is also accused of unlawfully obstructing Garda Hanley during a Section 23 search under the Misuse of Drugs Act. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtA solicitor went off record to discuss a matter about files being provided to another solicitor. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe prosecution said Detective Sergeant Charles was an essential witness who was in the Circuit Court in Dublin. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe judge adjourned the case and listed it for mention on 10 March. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherPierre Stokes allegedly took off running when informed of a search and passed a package to his co-accused. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherTom Stokes allegedly received a package from his co-accused and ran from gardaí. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 7 Mar2026
    In courtlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Longford District Court Judge critical of avoidance tactics

    Court report on the first appearance of the two co-accused. The matter was adjourned, and both men were ordered to re-appear before Longford District Court on March 10.

    accused, Pierre Stokes, male, named, irish (judged from name)Pierre Stokesaccused, Tom Stokes, male, named, irish (judged from name)Tom Stokes