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

With a jury empanelled and a trial about to commence, it was down to the wire when senior counsels for Edward and Sharon Stokes confirmed for Longford Circuit Criminal Court, a change of plea to that of ‘guilty’.

The incident at the centre of the case before Judge Jonathan Dunphy had occurred just over 7 years ago, specifically, December 3, 2018. 

Mr Edward Stokes, also known as ‘Blondie’, of Ferriskill, Granard, was re-arraigned before the court, this time entering a plea of guilty to having “permitted a dog under his control to attack” Inspector Garda Tom Quinn, then a sergeant at Granard Garda Station. Mr Stokes’ wife, Sharon, was also re-arraigned, pleading guilty to having produced “an article capable of inflicting serious injury namely a slash hook” during the same incident, which had occurred at Ferriskill, Granard.      

Senior Counsel for Edward Stokes, John Paul Shortt, requested the matter be adjourned for sentencing. 

Mr Shortt SC told the court that his client was currently serving a sentence "on another matter" and asked Judge Dunphy to direct the preparation of a governor’s report.

He said Mr Stokes was “rehabilitating well” in Castlerea Prison, before adding that he had “a number of certificates and matters of that nature to put before the court and to effectively enable us to prepare a plea in mitigation.” 

Judge Dunphy granted the governor’s report and remanded Mr Stokes on the same terms to the sentencing date. 

Explaining that her client is a mother of 7, Senior Counsel for Ms Sharon Stokes, Dara Foynes SC, asked the court to direct a probation report for the purpose of assessing her client’s suitability for community service, and to adjourn the matter for sentencing in due course.

Judge Dunphy directed the probation report, adding that he would list the matter for next week, Friday, February 27, for the attention of his colleague, Judge Kenneth Connolly. 

At the request of prosecution barrister, Stephen Faulkner, Judge Dunphy also directed the preparation of a Victim Impact Statement from Inspector Quinn. 

If the matter is not heard on Friday February 27, it will be moved to the next available date for Judge Connolly.