A man has pleaded guilty to permitting his German Shepherd dog to attack a Garda Sergeant more than seven years ago, while his wife has entered a guilty plea to the production of a slash hook in the course of the same dispute.
Edward ‘Blondie’ Stokes and his wife Sharon Stokes entered their eleventh hour pleas just before their jury trial was set to begin at Longford Circuit Court this morning, more than seven years after the incident took place.
Mr Stokes pleaded guilty to a charge of endangerment at Ferriskill, Granard, Co Longford, on December 3, 2018, whereby he permitted his dog to attack Garda Inspector Tom Quinn, who was at that time a Sergeant connected to Granard Garda Station. His wife pleaded guilty to the production of a slash hook during the same incident.
Those pleas were entered on a full facts basis, with charges of production of a slash hook and criminal damage to the ignition key of a Ford Transit to be taken into consideration for Mr Stokes. A nolle prosequi will be entered for a charge of endangerment against Mrs Stokes.
The incident, which involved the discharge of an official Garda firearm, made national headlines in 2018 and coincided with the circulation of a video, which appeared to show the sergeant being grabbed by his neck tie and pulled, presumably by the dog.
It was previously reported that the dog was shot, but the Garda sergeant was cleared of any wrongdoing after a lengthy investigation by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman (GSOC).
John Shortt SC, for Mr Stokes, sought an adjournment of sentencing, stating his client is currently serving a prison term for another matter, and requested a governor’s report.
Mr Stokes is “rehabilitating well” in custody, he said, and he will have a number of certificates and other documents to furnish to the court ahead of a sentence hearing.
Dara Foynes SC told the court that her client, Mrs Stokes, is a mother of seven. She requested a probation report for the purpose of assessing her suitability for community service.
Judge Dunphy directed the requested reports in the case of both defendants and stated he would adjourn the case for the attention of his colleague, Judge Kenneth Connolly.
Stephen Falkner BL, instructed by state solicitor Mark Connellan for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), informed the court that Inspector Quinn has expressed that he would like the matter dealt with within these sessions if possible.
Judge Dunphy directed the preparation of a victim impact statement, which is to be furnished to the defence as soon as possible, and adjourned the case to next week for sentence.
