Thursday 5 November 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. 25908Assault causing harm; theft (handbag snatch) · Co. Louth

Woman sentenced for assault causing harm and handbag snatch in Louth

Eleanor Aspell, a 24-year-old woman from Drogheda, was sentenced at Dundalk Circuit Court in July 2022 for two offences. In February 2016 she launched an unprovoked attack on a pensioner in the lobby of his apartment complex in Drogheda, and in February 2019 she snatched a handbag from a 76-year-old woman in Dundalk, causing the woman to fall and injure her hip and ankle. The court heard she had 10 previous convictions, was sleeping rough at the time of the snatch, and had tried to bite gardai. Judge Martina Baxter imposed two consecutive 18-month suspended sentences, suspended on a four-year good behaviour bond with two years of Probation Service supervision.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced26 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • The defendant launched an unprovoked attack on a pensioner in the lobby of his apartment complex, knocking him against a wall, stamping on his hand and punching him in the right eye.
  • The defendant snatched a handbag from a 76-year-old woman in Dundalk, causing the woman to fall and injure her hip and ankle.
  • A passing motorist stopped, chased and caught the defendant and made her apologise to the woman.
  • The defendant had 10 previous convictions, was sleeping rough at the time of the handbag snatch, and had tried to bite gardai.
  • The defendant has continued to engage with the Red Door Project in Drogheda.
Where
The assault took place in Drogheda and the handbag snatch in Dundalk.
When
The assault occurred in February 2016 and the handbag snatch in February 2019.
Charges
The defendant was charged with assault causing harm and theft (handbag snatch).
In court
The case was heard at Dundalk Circuit Court before Judge Martina Baxter, who noted there had been no new charges since August 2019.
Sentence
The defendant was given two consecutive 18-month suspended sentences, suspended on a four-year good behaviour bond with two years of Probation Service supervision.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe defendant launched an unprovoked attack on a pensioner in the lobby of his apartment complex (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatThree teens were drinking in the lobby area of the pensioner's apartment when the incident occurred (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatThe pensioner was knocked against a wall and slid down (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatThe pensioner's glasses were knocked off his face and his phone was knocked from his hand (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatThe defendant stamped on the pensioner's hand and punched him in the right eye (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatThe defendant snatched a 76-year-old woman's handbag in Dundalk (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatThe elderly woman fell to the ground following a struggle, injuring her hip and ankle (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatA passing motorist stopped, chased and caught the defendant and made her apologise to the woman (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatThe defendant was sleeping rough at the time of the handbag snatch (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatThe defendant had 10 previous convictions (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatThe defendant has continued to engage with the Red Door Project in Drogheda (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatThe court heard the defendant tried to bite gardai (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whereThe assault took place in Drogheda (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whenThe assault on the pensioner occurred in February 2016 (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whenThe handbag snatch occurred in February 2019 (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtJudge Martina Baxter noted there had been no new charges since August 2019 (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceThe defendant was given an 18-month suspended sentence for the assault at Dundalk Circuit Court (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceThe defendant was given a separate consecutive 18-month suspended sentence for the handbag snatch (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceBoth sentences were suspended on the defendant entering a bond to be of good behaviour for four years (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceThe defendant must remain under the supervision of the Probation Service for two years (dundalkdemocrat.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 26 Jul2022
    Sentenceddundalkdemocrat.ie, first report
    Woman launched an unprovoked attack on a pensioner, Dundalk court heard.

    Details of the sentencing: two consecutive 18-month suspended sentences, four-year good behaviour bond, two-year Probation Service supervision, and background on the defendant's history and rehabilitation.

    convicted, Eleanor Aspell, 24, female, named, irish (judged from name)Eleanor Aspellvictim, malevictim, 76, female