'I could never feel Longford could ever be a safe place for me or my family', says stabbing victim as attacker is jailed for six and a half years

Patrick Stokes (28) of Corboy, Edgeworthstown, Longford, pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm to Martin McDonagh at Luigi's fast food restaurant, Main Street, Longford on 5 April, 2022.

Prosecution witness Detective Sergeant Keelan Brennan, was the State's lead witness in the prosecution of the defendant.
Detective Sergeant Brennan said that the incident commenced when the victim had an altercation earlier in the day at the fuel station in Longford town. Martin McDonagh was alleged to have waved a large stick at members of the Stokes family.

Later that afternoon Patrick Stokes and his wife, Jacinta Stokes, saw Mr McDonagh outside Luigi’s as they drove down the town's Main Street. The court was played CCTV footage of the confrontation.

Mr McDonagh was observed coming into the fast food restaurant, and some minutes later Mr Stokes entered with his hand in his pocket. The defendant was followed by his wife, Jacinta, who was holding up her phone to record the confrontation.

Mr Stokes made a lunge at Mr McDonagh with what transpired to be a Stanley knife. He can be seen stabbing at the victim. Mr McDonagh ran behind the counter and Mr Stokes pursued him in, continuing to slash at the victim.

Luigi’s owner, Peter Vocella, was seen endeavouring to aid Mr McDonagh, and sustained a cut to his finger in the process.

The sustained attack lasted only a couple of minutes, and after Mr McDonagh got the assailant in a headlock Mr Stokes broke free and left the business premises followed by his wife.

The arriving ambulance personnel had serious concerns for his well-being, describing the injuries as “severe and life threatening”.

A medical report from the treating surgeon in Mullingar Hospital said a tourniquet applied by Mr Vocella and one of the customers may have saved the victim's life.

The report confirmed Mr McDonagh suffered a large number of wounds consistent with stabbing. Those wounds included four scalp wounds.

The victim, who needed a blood transfusion and resuscitation in the Emergency Department, said he “did not want to die” and “wanted to live to see his kids again”.

He was initially transferred to the Intensive Care Unit. A medical report on Mr Vocella's injuries confirmed a laceration to his right thumb requiring stitches.

Det Sgt Brennan read Mr McDonagh's victim impact statement into the court record. The victim spoke of the impact of the “savage attack in broad daylight”.

Mr McDonagh described the attack as being “butchered” and how the injuries he sustained continued to impact on his life: “I'm embarrassed to go out. I won’t take my shirt off in public. I’m embarrassed to get a haircut.”

The VIS spoke of the “severe depression and anxiety” Mr McDonagh felt as a result of the attack. He has since moved his family to England: “I could never feel Longford could ever be a safe place for me, Kylie or my family.”

Det Sgt Brennan explained the context of the attack as being part of an ongoing feud between the two Longford families that had its genesis 17 years ago.

The court heard that Mr Stokes has a number of relevant previous convictions, the most recent a conviction for production of an article, assault and affray during an incident on Ballymahon Street where Mr McDonagh was also the injured party.

In a letter to the court apologising for his actions Mr Stokes expressed remorse for his wrongdoing. He turned himself in to Gardaí after the incident occurred and cooperated fully. He described “dragging my family down”.

Mr Stokes said his actions “haunt my mind” adding he “felt nothing but shame, guilt and regret”.

He spoke of throwing away opportunities and regretted “causing more bad publicity for Longford”.

The defendant's father, Martin Stokes, took to the witness box to express his concern for the younger generations of the two families.

“I feel sorry for this younger generation that’s paying for something that went on with their fathers and grandfathers. It’s the younger generation that has to pay for it. I would like to see an end to it and for the whole lot of us to get on with our lives.”

Judge Connolly said Mr McDonagh's description of being “butchered” was an appropriate statement. The judge noted Mr Stokes' early guilty plea, his genuine remorse and a willingness to pay compensation.

Fixing a headline sentence of 12 years, Judge Connolly said he would reduce it to seven years and six months with the mitigation. The judge also suspended the final 12 months for a period of three years.

In respect of the section three assault, he imposed a two-year sentence, which was reduced to one year. That will be served concurrent to the assault conviction. The production of an article charge was taken into consideration.