‘Scourge’ of violent disorder in Longford ‘will be wiped out’

Violent disorder offences are “a scourge” on the county town, a Longford Circuit Court judge has said, and such behaviour “will be eradicated”.

Those were the strong words spoken by Judge Kenneth Connolly on Friday at the sentencing hearing of John Stokes (52), of 33 Spring Lawns, Longford.

A jury had previously found Mr Stokes guilty of violent disorder and production of an article, namely an metal bar, during the course of a dispute which took place on Main Street Longford on July 12, 2020.

“This type of crime is an absolute scourge on the town of Longford and the county,” said Judge Connolly, stressing that the frequency of violent disorder and affray incidents is “far more” than in any other county in which he sits.

“This type of offending is a scourge on Longford. It will be wiped out. It will be eradicated.”

Mr Stokes, he noted, had 31 previous convictions and, while around 20 of those were for road traffic offences, there were others for assault, indecent assault, theft, burglary and public order.

“This was a shocking scene for anyone to witness. We watched it on CCTV. I can only imagine for anyone witnessing that in person that it must have been terrifying indeed,” said Judge Connolly.

He proceeded to sentence Mr Stokes to two years and three months on the violent disorder charge, and 18 months on the production of an article charge.

The sentences are to run concurrently and will be backdated to February 2, 2024, when Mr Stokes first went into custody.

A destruction order was made for the metal bar.