Ireland Crime

Named as

Victim

Offences

Endangerment, Producing a slash hook, Criminal damage, Production of a slash hook and giving false information to GSOC

Where

Co. Longford

Reporting

7 reports, 18 Feb 2026 to 22 May 2026

Outlets

irishtimes.com, longfordleader.ie, rte.ie

Photographs

as published, with the outlet's credit

Images are shown from the outlet that published them and link back to the article. Copyright stays with the credited photographer or agency.

• Longford couple sentenced over dog attack on garda Endangerment · Co. Longford

  On 3 December 2018, Edward 'Blondie' Stokes (35) set his Belgian Shepherd dog on Garda Sergeant Tom Quinn at Ferriskill, Granard, Co Longford, during a confrontation over a vehicle inspection. Quinn shot the dog to free himself after it launched at his neck, and the ricocheting bullet hit Stokes in the ankle. Sharon Stokes (38) produced a slash hook during the same incident. Both pleaded guilty at Longford Circuit Court on 18 February 2026, just before their jury trial was due to begin. On 21 May 2026, Stokes was sentenced to three years and three months with two years suspended, to be served consecutively to an existing term, and Sharon Stokes was given 150 hours of community service.

  Sentenced, 21 May 2026Victim · 6 reports
• Stokes jailed for endangerment and criminal damage in Longford Endangerment · Co. Longford

  In 2018, Edward Stokes allowed his Belgian Shepherd dog to attack garda sergeant Tom Quinn during a dispute over a van left for engine work in Ferriskill, Granard, Longford. Stokes brandished a slash hook at the sergeant, who fired a shot into the dog's chest. On 3 December 2018, Stokes and his wife Sharon Stokes pleaded guilty at Longford Circuit Court to charges including endangerment, criminal damage, production of a slash hook and giving false information to GSOC. Stokes was jailed for 15 months and Sharon Stokes was given 150 hours of community service. Sergeant Quinn was cleared of wrongdoing following a probe, though his promotion to inspector was delayed by seven and a half months.

  Sentenced, 21 May 2026Victim · 1 report

Each entry shows how that report described them.

1. 22 May2026
   Sentencedirishtimes.com, in Longford couple sentenced over dog attack on garda

   Garda inspector was in fear of his life when Longford man set dog on him

   victim, Tom Quinn, male, irish (judged from name)Tom Quinn♂IE
2. 21 May2026
   Sentencedlongfordleader.ie, in Stokes jailed for endangerment and criminal damage in Longford

   Edward 'Blondie' Stokes jailed for frightening Longford dog attack on garda sergeant

   victim, Tom Quinn, male, irish (judged from name)Tom Quinn♂IE
3. 21 May2026
   Sentencedrte.ie, in Longford couple sentenced over dog attack on garda

   Garda inspector believed he might die during dog attack

   victim, Tom Quinn, male, irish (judged from name)Tom Quinn♂IE
4. 27 Feb2026
   In courtlongfordleader.ie, in Longford couple sentenced over dog attack on garda

   Longford woman who brandished slash hook as husband set dog on garda both to be sentenced in May

   victim, Tom Quinn, irish (judged from name)Tom QuinnIE
5. 19 Feb2026
   Convictedlongfordleader.ie, in Longford couple sentenced over dog attack on garda

   Longford husband and wife to be sentenced next week for 2018 incident with Garda Sergeant

   victim, Tom Quinn, irish (judged from name)Tom QuinnIE
6. 18 Feb2026
   Convictedirishtimes.com, in Longford couple sentenced over dog attack on garda

   Man pleads guilty to allowing his German shepherd to attack garda sergeant in Co Longford

   victim, Tom Quinn, male, irish (judged from name)Tom Quinn♂IE
7. 18 Feb2026
   In courtrte.ie, in Longford couple sentenced over dog attack on garda

   Man pleads guilty over German Shepherd attack on Garda

   victim, Tom Quinn, male, irish (judged from name)Tom Quinn♂IE

Matched on the name as printed, ignoring quoted nicknames, and split by the ages reported. Two people who share a name and age would appear together here.