Sean Stakelum (42) of Park Road, Longford, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, drug driving and drink driving, as well as resisting arrest and assaulting a Garda. During the assault, the garda received a dislocated shoulder, a fractured finger and soft tissue damage. When the driver exited the vehicle, Gillespie knew him to be Sean Stakelum, who had been playing in a county final match earlier that day and was sent off within five minutes. Stakelum resisted arrest, grabbing Gillespie and pushing him to the ground with force, dislocating his shoulder. In mitigation, defending barrister Barry White outlined that Stakelum owns a pharmacy business in the town, and has no previous convictions.

Source: The Irish Times February 13, 2026 12:32 UTC