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. 21001Assault; violent disorder; possession of a knife · Co. Longford · 28 Apr 2022

Two women and a man to stand trial over alleged assault in Longford town

Two women and a man are accused of assaulting Francis Gavin in the middle of Longford town in broad daylight, at Ballymahon Street, on April 28, 2022. The accused are Julie Stokes (52), Leveda Stokes (23) and Billy Stokes (32), who are charged with assault and violent disorder, and Julie Stokes is also charged with possessing a knife; these are allegations. In May 2023 all three were served books of evidence at Longford District Court, the Director of Public Prosecutions consented to them being sent forward for trial, and they were given alibi warnings. The latest development is the State's request that each accused appear before a sitting of Longford Circuit Criminal Court.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court17 May
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Two women and a man are accused of assaulting Francis Gavin, a man, in Longford town.
Where
The alleged assault took place in the middle of Longford town, at Ballymahon Street.
When
The incident occurred on April 28, 2022.
Other details
  • The alleged assault was carried out in broad daylight.
  • The accused are Julie Stokes (52), Leveda Stokes (23) and Billy Stokes (32).
  • The Longford Leader and Offaly Express both reported the case in May 2023.
Charges
  • Julie Stokes and Leveda Stokes are charged with assault and violent disorder.
  • Billy Stokes is charged with a section 3 assault on Francis Gavin and with violent disorder.
Weapon
Julie Stokes is also charged with allegedly possessing a knife during the alleged incident.
In court
  • All three accused were served with books of evidence at Longford District Court.
  • The Director of Public Prosecutions consented to the three accused being sent forward for trial.
  • The State requested that each accused appear before a sitting of Longford Circuit Criminal Court.
  • The presiding judge gave all three accused an alibi warning, with 14 days to notify the State solicitor's office if they wish to rely on an alibi.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe alleged assault took place in the middle of Longford town in broad daylight. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe accused are alleged to have assaulted Francis Gavin at Ballymahon Street. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe alleged assault took place in the middle of Longford town. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred on April 28, 2022. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe alleged incident occurred on April 28, 2022. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeJulie Stokes and Leveda Stokes are charged with assault and violent disorder. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeJulie Stokes is also charged with allegedly possessing a knife during the alleged incident. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeBilly Stokes is charged with a section 3 assault on Francis Gavin and with violent disorder. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeJulie Stokes and Leveda Stokes are accused of assaulting Francis Gavin at Ballymahon Street and of violent disorder. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe three accused were served with books of evidence at Longford District Court. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe Director of Public Prosecutions consented to the three being sent forward for trial. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe State requested that each accused appear before a sitting of Longford Circuit Criminal Court. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtAll three accused were given an alibi warning by the presiding judge. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtJulie Stokes and Leveda Stokes were served with a book of evidence at Longford District Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtBilly Stokes was also served with a book of evidence. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe DPP consented to the three accused being sent forward for trial. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtAll three accused were given an alibi warning and have 14 days to notify the State solicitor's office if they wish to rely on an alibi. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 May2023
    In courtoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Two women and a man to stand trial accused of assaulting man in broad daylight in the Midlands

    Reports the three accused being sent forward for trial. Incident date is given as April 28, 2022, which predates the article by about a year.

    accused, Julie Stokes, 52, female, named, irish (judged from name)Julie Stokesaccused, Leveda Stokes, 23, female, named, irish (judged from name)Leveda Stokesaccused, Billy Stokes, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Billy Stokesvictim, Francis Gavin, male, irish (judged from name)Francis Gavin
  2. 17 May2023
    In courtlongfordleader.ie, follow-up
    Trio to stand trial accused of assaulting man in Longford town in broad daylight

    Reports the three accused being served books of evidence and sent forward for trial at Longford Circuit Criminal Court, with alibi warnings given by the judge. Names Billy Stokes's address and charges and confirms the DPP consented to the trial.

    victim, Francis Gavin, male, irish (judged from name)Francis Gavinaccused, Julie Stokes, 52, female, named, irish (judged from name)Julie Stokesaccused, Leveda Stokes, 23, female, named, irish (judged from name)Leveda Stokesaccused, Billy Stokes, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Billy Stokes