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

The sentencing of Edward ‘Blondie’ Stokes and his wife Sharon - which had been scheduled for today, the February 27 sitting of Longford Circuit Criminal Court - in relation to offences arising from a serious incident involving a local garda sergeant back in December 2018, has been adjourned until May 19.

Edward Stokes last week pleaded guilty in response to the charge of having “permitted a dog under his control to attack” Inspector Garda Tom Quinn, then a sergeant at Granard Garda Station.

During the same sitting, Sharon Stokes also pleaded guilty in response to the charge that she produced “an article capable of inflicting serious injury namely a slash hook” during the same incident, which occurred at Ferriskill in Granard on December 3 2018. 

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

A jury had originally been empanelled in anticipation of a trial last week however the 12 jury members were disbanded after the couple entered last minute plea changes to guilty.

Instead, a Victim Impact Statement was ordered by Judge Jonathan Dunphy and a date for sentencing, February 27, was listed, with the Judge stipulating at the time that the sentencing would only go ahead if Judge Kenneth Connolly was available to preside over the matter. 

Upon confirmation that Judge Connolly was unavailable, the sentencing was today adjourned until May 19. 

Mr and Mrs Stokes were not present in Longford Courthouse for the mention. 

In listing the new date for sentencing, Judge Dunphy acknowledged receipt of a report he had requested last week from the governor of Castlerea Prison in respect of Mr Stokes, who is currently serving a sentence there on another matter.

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Judge Dunphy went on to direct that an updated governor’s report be provided in advance of the new sentencing date, adding that it was necessary “given the passage of three months” from today.

The Judge also made a production order directing Castlerea Prison to produce Mr Stokes before the court on May 19.

In addressing Ms Niamh Tubridy - the barrister representing Mrs Sharon Stokes - the Judge acknowledged receipt of a one page community service assessment and said he would be remanding Mrs Stokes on the same bail terms to May 19.