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. 20534Affray · Co. Tipperary · 26 Jun 2021

Two men plead guilty to affray at Upperchurch, Co Tipperary

A 19-year-old man suffered serious injuries in an affray in Upperchurch, Co Tipperary, on June 26, 2021, after county football and hurling finals involving Upperchurch Drombane GAA. AJ Shanahan, 20, of Seskin, Thurles, pleaded guilty to affray on June 16, 2023, and was sentenced at Nenagh Circuit Criminal Court, where he was fined €100 and was to provide €3,000 to Acquired Brain Injury Ireland. Joseph O'Donoghue, 22, pleaded guilty to affray, not violent disorder, and the court ordered a probation report and adjourned his case to October 3. Six other people are still before the courts over the incident.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced28 Jun
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Two men pleaded guilty to affray in Upperchurch, Co Tipperary, in 2021 that left another young man with serious injuries.
  • The injured man, aged 19, spent 15 days on a life-support machine.
  • The injured man had brain contusions and later developed epileptic seizures.
Where
The affray took place in Upperchurch, Co Tipperary.
When
The affray took place on June 26, 2021, after county football and hurling finals involving Upperchurch Drombane GAA.
Cause
Celebrations involved many people, some of whom had been drinking alcohol.
Investigation
AJ Shanahan, 20, of Seskin, Thurles, co-operated fully with the investigation and was interviewed on three occasions.
Charges
  • AJ Shanahan pleaded guilty to affray on June 16, 2023.
  • Joseph O'Donoghue, 22, pleaded not guilty to violent disorder but guilty to affray.
In court
  • The court heard that Shanahan had no previous convictions.
  • Judge Staines ordered a probation report for O'Donoghue and adjourned the matter to October 3.
  • Judge Staines said she would adjourn sentencing for six months.
Sentence
Shanahan was fined €100 and was to provide €3,000 to Acquired Brain Injury Ireland.
Other details
  • Judge Staines said the behaviour was an absolute disgrace.
  • Six other people are still before the courts in relation to the incident.
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatTwo people pleaded guilty to affray in Upperchurch in 2021 that left another young man with serious injuries. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whatThe injured party spent 15 days on a life-support machine. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whatThe injured party had brain contusions and later developed epileptic seizures. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whereThe affray took place in Upperchurch. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whenThe incident followed county football and hurling finals involving Upperchurch Drombane GAA on June 26, 2021. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • causeCelebrations involved many people, some of whom had been drinking alcohol. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • investigationShanahan co-operated fully with the investigation and was interviewed on three occasions. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • chargeAJ Shanahan pleaded to affray on 16 June 2023. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • chargeJoseph O’Donoghue pleaded not guilty to violent disorder but guilty to affray. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • courtThe court heard Shanahan had no previous convictions. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • courtJudge Staines said she would adjourn sentencing for six months. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • courtJudge Staines ordered a probation report for O’Donoghue and adjourned the matter to October 3. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • sentenceShanahan was fined €100. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • sentenceShanahan was to provide €3,000 to Acquired Brain Injury Ireland. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherJudge Staines said the behaviour was an absolute disgrace. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherSix other people are still before the courts in relation to the incident. (tipperarylive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 28 Jun2023
    Sentencedtipperarylive.ie, first report
    Two Tipperary men plead guilty to an affray described by judge as an 'absolute disgrace'

    Reports the guilty pleas, sentencing and adjournments for two accused in the Upperchurch affray, and that six other people are still before the courts over the incident.

    convicted, AJ Shanahan, 20, male, named, irish (judged from name)AJ Shanahanconvicted, Joseph O'Donoghue, 22, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joseph O'Donoghuevictim, 19, male