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. 8299Assault causing harm · Co. Kilkenny · 18 Sep 2023

Two men given suspended sentences over Kilkenny city assault

On 18 September 2023, a man was assaulted on John Street in Kilkenny city after a verbal argument outside a takeaway. Dean O'Riordan and Ryan Coady were arrested at the scene and both pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at Kilkenny Circuit Court. On 6 August 2026, Judge Sinéad McMullen gave Mr O'Riordan a three-year prison sentence suspended in full and gave Mr Coady an 18-month sentence suspended in full for three years.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced6 Aug
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Mr O'Riordan punched the injured man, who fell to the ground.
  • Mr Coady joined in hitting the injured man several times while he was on the ground.
  • The injured man was treated at St James's Hospital in Dublin for a fracture of the nasal bone and right orbital floor.
  • The injured man needed surgery and has a permanent metal plate in his face, although one article says the plate is in his jaw.
Where
The assault happened on John Street in Kilkenny city.
When
The assault took place on 18 September 2023.
Cause
A verbal argument broke out between the injured man and Mr O'Riordan outside a takeaway.
Investigation
Both men were arrested at the scene.
Charges
Both men pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at Kilkenny Circuit Court.
In court
  • Judge Sinéad McMullen noted that both men pleaded guilty at an early stage, sparing the injured man from giving evidence.
  • Judge McMullen received a letter from the injured man saying there were no hard feelings, which she described as extremely magnanimous.
Sentence
  • Mr O'Riordan was given three years' imprisonment, suspended in full for three years, and ordered to liaise with the Probation Service and complete 100 hours of voluntary work.
  • Mr Coady was given an 18-month prison sentence, suspended in full for three years on condition he enter a bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.
Other details
  • Mr O'Riordan offered €3,000 in compensation to the injured man and had a very positive probation report, but had 24 previous convictions.
  • Mr Coady had no previous convictions.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMr O’Riordan punched the injured man, who fell to the ground. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatMr Coady joined in hitting the injured man several times while he was on the ground. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatThe injured man needed surgery and now has a permanent metal plate in his face. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatThe injured man was treated at St James’s Hospital in Dublin for a fracture of the nasal bone and right orbital floor. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whereThe assault happened on John Street in Kilkenny city. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whenThe assault took place on 18 September 2023. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • causeA verbal argument broke out between the injured man and Mr O’Riordan outside a takeaway. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationBoth men were arrested at the scene. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • chargeBoth men pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at Kilkenny Circuit Court. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtJudge McMullen noted that both men pleaded guilty at an early stage, sparing the injured man from giving evidence. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentenceMr O’Riordan was given three years' imprisonment, suspended in full for three years. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentenceMr O’Riordan was ordered to liaise with the Probation Service and complete 100 hours of voluntary work. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentenceMr Coady was given an 18-month prison sentence, suspended in full for three years on condition he enter a bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherMr O’Riordan offered €3,000 in compensation to the injured man. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherA probation report on Mr O’Riordan was very positive. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherMr Coady had no previous convictions. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherMr O’Riordan had 24 previous convictions. (kilkennypeople.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 6 Aug2026
    Sentencedkilkennypeople.ie, first report
    Man left with metal plate in face after Kilkenny city assault

    Sentencing hearing for two men over the September 2023 John Street assault; the article gives the sentences, the injured man's injuries and the court's remarks.

    convicted, Dean O'Riordan, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Dean O'Riordanconvicted, Ryan Coady, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ryan Coadyvictim, male