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Sunday World
13 hours ago
- Sunday World
Man described as ‘Jekyll and Hyde' character jailed after reckless road rampage
Owen Orr committed a series of offences on St Valentine's Day in 2019 leaving a trail of destruction in his wake A man described as a 'Jekyll and Hyde' character after he drank alcohol has been jailed for eight months and put off the road for five years after going on a rampage in Co Donegal. Owen Orr committed a series of offences on St Valentine's Day in 2019 leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. The father-of-five punched another motorist in the face, assaulted a Garda, damaged his motorbike and then crashed his car into a terrified mother and daughter. Orr, who has 31 previous convictions, appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court where he pleaded guilty to a range of offences which all occurred on the same evening. Judge Roderick Maguire said it was completely unacceptable that Gardai had been put in such danger while doing their duty. He also said members of the public were fortunate not to have suffered more serious and lasting injuries as a result of Orr's actions. The 32-year-old was charged that, at Cullion Road, Letterkenny, he assaulted Garda Michael Kilcoyne, a peace officer, acting in the course of his duty. The charge is contrary to Section 19 (3) of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994, as amended by Section 185 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006. He was charged that he did without lawful excuse damage property, to wit, a Garda Honda motorcycle, belonging to the Chief Superintendent, An Garda Siochana. The charge is contrary to Section 2 (1) of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991. Orr was charged with the unlawful interference with a mechanically propelled vehicle, the property of Charles Bonner, while such vehicle was stationary at Manorcunningham by removing the key from the ignition. The charge is contrary to Section 113 or the Road Traffic Act, 1961, as amended by Section 6 of the Road Traffic Act, 1968 and Section 18 of the Road Traffic Act, 2006. He is also charged with dangerous driving o the N13 on February 14th, 2019 He is further charged that, at Dromore, Letterkenny, on February 14, 2019, that he did without lawful excuse damage property, to wit, a Toyota Corolla belonging to Kathleen Birch intending to damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be damaged. The charge is contrary to Section 2 (1) of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991. He is also charged with failing to report an accident when injury was caused to property or a person at Dromore Lower on February 14th, 2019 being the driver of a vehicle involved in the accident. Other charges were also taken into account by the court. Prosecutor for the State, Ms Fiona Crawford, BL, along with Garda Daire Sheridan outlined the series of events on the day which led to Orr's arrest. He told how another motorist, Charles Bonner, was driving on the dual carriageway into Letterkenny when he saw another car overtaking a series of other vehicles before pulling in front of him. Mr Bonner flashed his lights at the car but the other driver, now known to be Owen Orr, slammed on his brakes forcing the other driver to brake. Mr Bonner stopped and the driver of the other car came over, punched him in the nose, pulled the keys out of his jeep and then threw them into a hedge and drove off with the entire incident being captured on dashcam. At Dromore Lower, some kilometres down the road, Mrs Kathleen Birch and her daughter were traveling towards Letterkenny down Lurgybrack when a car pulled out and smashed into them. Mrs Birch suffered pain in her back and legs and feared her car was going to go on fire as other motorists came to her aid. The driver of the other car fled on foot but left his wallet with bank cards and identification at the scene. Garda motorcyclist Michael Kilcoyne arrived at the scene of the accident and went in search of the driver of the other car and found Owen Orr walking at nearby Cullion Road. He addressed Orr who became aggressive and assaulted the Garda by grabbing him by the neck causing his motorbike to fall to the ground. Owen Orr at Letterkenny Circuit Court. (North West Newspix) News in 90 Seconds - Wednesday, July 30 A scuffle broke out and Orr lashed out at the arresting officer by kicking him before he was taken to Letterkenny Garda Station for questioning. While in the station, Orr refused to give either a blood or urine sample to a registered nurse. The accused man was interviewed four days later when sober and the court was told he was very apologetic about the incident. Barrister for Orr, Mr Ciaran Elders, BL, directed by solicitor Frank Dorrian, said his client was very cooperative during the second interview describing him as a 'Jekyll and Hyde' character when he had alcohol taken. He added that he finds himself in a better place today and has been sober since 2023 after two periods in rehabilitation apart from a small lapse. The accused man had a total of €2,000 in compensation to offer including a sum to replace the €500 key for Mr Bonner's jeep, another €750 for the damage to his glasses and €750 to be given to a charity of Garda Kilcoyne's choice. A further €500 was also available to Mrs Birch while the court was also told that civil proceedings are also ongoing arising from the collision. Mr Elders added that his client was now trying to put his life back together and was a man with a high IQ with five children, the oldest of which were also academically gifted and wanted to attend college. Judge Roderick Maguire addressed the accused and asked him how his family were now keeping and how his life was now that he is trying to remain sober. Orr said that he was attending AA meetings four times a week. Mr Elders added that now that it appears that Orr has been rehabilitated and has also come a long way since this incident in 2019, he was not sure how a custodial sentence could benefit Orr or society at large. Passing sentence, Judge Maguire outlined all the events of the night saying he had considered all matters. He outlined a headline sentence but then said he had to consider mitigation before passing a final sentence. He said Gardai had noted that Orr was very easy to deal with when sober, he had not come to Garda attention since, had entered an early plea and was in a much better place today. The Judge also noted his probation report, the fact that he has five children and also considered the management of his alcohol abuse and that he is now attending alcoholics anonymous four times a week. He also noted that compensation had been offered to those caught up in Orr's rampage which he said were concrete expressions or remorse of the accused. Taking all these matters into account, Judge Maguire reduced the headline sentence to one of sixteen months with the last eight months suspended and banned Orr from holding a driving license for five years. He also ordered him to enter a bond to keep the peace for a period of two years upon his release from prison.
Sunday World
16-07-2025
- Sunday World
Young woman pleads guilty to robbing Playstation, TV and speaker
Nadia Blake spoke only to plead guilty to the two charges during the short arraignment hearing A woman has pleaded guilty to producing a screwdriver and robbery of a house in Co Donegal. Nadia Blake (26) of Booragh, Ramelton appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court before Judge Roderick Maguire. Blake was charged with robbery on October 16, 2024 at Navenny Street, Ballybofey. Blake was charged that she did rob a TV, a Playstation console, controller and a portable speaker belonging to Mr Stephen Doherty. The charge is contrary to Section 14 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001. Blake is also charged with the production of an article capable of inflicting injury, to wit, a screwdriver, during the course of a dispute at the same location and date. The charge is contrary to Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990. Blake spoke only to plead guilty to the two charges during the short arraignment hearing. Defence barrister Mr Simon Gillespie told the court that Blake is a 26 year old with no previous convictions. Mr Gillespie requested a probation and welfare report be carried out on Blake and asked for it to include an assessment on suitability for community service. Mr Gillespie also requested for legal aid to be extended to cover a psychiatric report and said Blake was currently under the care of the mental health team. Ms Fiona Crawford said the pleas were accepted on a full facts basis. Judge Maguire approved the request for the reports and the case was adjourned until the October session of Letterkenny Circuit Court.
Sunday World
04-07-2025
- Sunday World
Woman found with four Rolex watches worth over €132k to stand trial
Bridget McDonagh is charged with using fake documents to apply for an Irish passport and having possession of Rolex watches and a stash of sterling cash. A Donegal woman is to stand trial charged with using fake documents to apply for an Irish passport and having possession of Rolex watches and a stash of sterling cash. Gardai believe that the items seized from Bridget McDonagh, including four luxury watches, are the proceeds of criminal conduct. McDonagh, with an address at Coil an Airgid, Donegal Road, Ballybofey, was before Letterkenny District Court. Garda Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that a book of evidence had been served on Ms McDonagh. Rolex Daydate 36mm in gold Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 4th He said the Director of Public Prosecutions has now agreed to send the accused woman forward for trial to the next sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court which commences on July 8th next. Ms McDonagh's solicitor, Mr Frank Murphy, said that due to the seriousness of the case he was requesting both senior and junior counsel and this was agreed to. The 44-year-old was charged that on November 20, 2025 she was in possession of the proceeds of criminal conduct, to wit, £9,300 in sterling cash, and four Rolex watches, valued at a total of €132,950. She was also charged in relation to an incident at the Irish Passport Office, Balbriggan, Dublin, on August 23, 2023. She was charged that she did, in connection with an application for the issue of a passport, provide false information or documents which were false or misleading. Ms McDonagh is currently out on bail with a number of bail conditions attached. Mr Murphy told Judge Eiteain Cunningham that his client was looking to vary the bail conditions but that this application had been objected to by the Garda National Bureau of criminal Investigation. After some legal argument the court was told the application could be made when the case came before the circuit court. The case was adjourned to July 8th.
Sunday World
07-06-2025
- Sunday World
Thug who left man with ‘life-changing injuries' after being invited to his home jailed
Tristian McAteer told Stephen Doherty that he was taking his television and then attacked him with the knife and slashed him in the face and head A Donegal man who attacked another man after he had been invited back to his home for drinks and food leaving him with 'life-changing injuries' has been sentenced to six years in prison. Tristian McAteer attacked his victim with a knife, slashing his face after he was invited back to Stephen Doherty's house in Ballybofey on October 16th, 2024. The 26-year-old accused appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court where he pleaded guilty to two charges including robbery and the production of an article, namely a knife. Details of the incident were outlined to the court by Detective Garda John O'Sullivan and state barrister, Ms Fiona Crawford, BL. The accused and Mr Doherty, along with a woman, had been out drinking at the Shamrock Bar in Ballybofey, earlier in the day. When back at Mr Doherty's house at Navenny Street, the victim asked McAteer and the woman if they would like something to eat. When he came back into the room with food, McAteer told Mr Doherty that he was taking his television and then attacked him with the knife, slashed him in the face and head. Mr Doherty tried to defend himself and managed to get on top of McAteer and put his knees on top of his arms as he tried to hold him down. Tristan McAteer News in 90 Seconds - 7th June However, the woman then attacked Mr Doherty by stabbing him with a screwdriver in the head and then striking him in the back with slats of wood from a child's bed which she had found in the house. Mr Doherty managed to flee from his house to a nearby bar to raise the alarm while bleeding heavily. He asked to look at their live CCTV and as he did so he witnessed McAteer and the woman leaving his home and getting into a taxi with two of his televisions, a PlayStation 4 console and controller and a portable speaker Mr Doherty was then taken to hospital where he was treated for his multiple injuries. They included lacerations to his cheek and forehead and damage to his nose. The scene was secured by Gardai and later that evening, McAteer was located and arrested at Glenfin Street at approximately 9.50pm. His clothing was covered in blood, he had been fighting with other people and he was pepper-sprayed by Gardai before being arrested. He has been in custody at Castlerea Prison since October 21st, 2024 and has entered a plea to both charges. Tristan McAteer The woman who attacked Mr Doherty during the incident is also due to come before the Circuit Court and Judge John Aylmer remarked that this was very much a "joint enterprise." A victim impact statement was read out in court on behalf of the victim Mr Doherty. The statement on behalf of Mr Doherty, who was not in court, told how the incident had resulted in his home being turned upside down and his life destroyed. He said he thought his life was at risk at one stage when McAteer had the blade to his throat and that he was seriously injured as a result of the attack. The court heard how McAteer has 30 previous convictions for a range of offences including robbery, possession of knives, assault, road traffic, criminal damage and breach of a safety order. Barrister for the accused, Mr Peter Nolan, BL, said his client was actually a very quiet man when sober but is often under the influence of some kind of intoxicant. He had a troubled background, never knew his father and his relationship with his mother is strained although she has always supported him. His brother died tragically earlier this year and this had had a particularly bad impact on McAteer and he realises now that he is at a crossroads in his life and that his life is bleak, said Mr Nolan. McAteer has now broken all contact with the co-accused and other people he was involved with. Mr Nolan added that this was a "classic situation" of a man with no qualifications, no work history and not ability to be gainfully employed so he slips into the easy way of drinking but now realises that's not the way. He said McAteer had put his hands up and gone forward on a signed plea and was anxious to deal with the case. He added that it was a story that Judge Aylmer has heard numerous times but he was anxious that something be done for McAteer stressing that he agreed with the Judge that this was very much a "joint enterprise" and that BOTH of them were responsible for it. Passing sentence, Judge Aylmer said the aggravating features of the case was that McAteer had previous convictions for robbery and assault and the fact that he produced a weapon and used it on the homeowner. He added that all this occurred all occurred in the sanctity of Mr Doherty's home where McAteer had been invited as a guest before walking away with his television. His victim had been left in a state of anxiety and depression and had to get counselling to help him for guidance moving forward. Before considering mitigation, Judge Aylmer said he placed the robbery at the upper end of the scale meriting a sentence of 11 years in prison and the production of a knife at the utmost end of the scale meriting a full maximum sentence of five years in prison. He added the accused had come before the court on a signed plea which was "very wise" where he said almost nothing else could be said for him. He accepted McAteer was remorseful, that Gardai said he was quiet when sober and that his entire criminal record was related to his chronic drug and alcohol addictions, adding he will have plenty of time to address these issues in prison. Due to the signed plea, he was reducing the sentence of robbery to one of seven years and the production of a knife to one of three years with both sentences to run concurrently. He added that he wanted to encourage McAteer to engage in his rehabilitation and said he was suspending the last 12 months of the sentence meaning the accused will serve six years in prison. When the sentence was handed down McAteer spoke up to Judge Aylmer and called the sentence "disgusting" before being led away by prison officers.
The Journal
07-06-2025
- The Journal
Man who left victim with 'life changing' injuries after being invited to house for food jailed
A CO DONEGAL man who attacked another man after he had been invited back to his home for drinks and food leaving him with 'life-changing injuries' has been sentenced to six years in prison. Tristian McAteer attacked his victim with a knife, slashing his face after he was invited back to Stephen Doherty's house in Ballybofey on 16 October, 2024. The 26-year-old accused appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court where he pleaded guilty to two charges including robbery and the production of an article, namely a knife. Details of the incident were outlined to the court by Detective Garda John O'Sullivan and state barrister, Ms Fiona Crawford, BL. The accused and Mr Doherty, along with a woman, had been out drinking at the Shamrock Bar in Ballybofey, earlier in the day. When back at Mr Doherty's house at Navenny Street, the victim asked McAteer and the woman if they would like something to eat. When he came back into the room with food, McAteer told Mr Doherty that he was taking his television and then attacked him with the knife, slashed him in the face and head. Mr Doherty tried to defend himself and managed to get on top of McAteer and put his knees on top of his arms as he tried to hold him down. However, the woman then attacked Mr Doherty by stabbing him with a screwdriver in the head and then striking him in the back with slats of wood from a child's bed which she had found in the house. Mr Doherty managed to flee from his house to a nearby bar to raise the alarm while bleeding heavily. He asked to look at their live CCTV and as he did so he witnessed McAteer and the woman leaving his home and getting into a taxi with two of his televisions, a Playstation 4 console and controller and a portable speaker Mr Doherty was then taken to hospital where he was treated for his multiple injuries. They included lacerations to his cheek and forehead and damage to his nose. The scene was secured by gardaí and later that evening, McAteer was located and arrested at Glenfin Street at approximately 9.50pm. His clothing was covered in blood, he had been fighting with other people and he was pepper-sprayed by Gardai before being arrested. He has been in custody at Castlerea Prison since October 21st, 2024 and has entered a plea to both charges. The woman who attacked Mr Doherty during the incident is also due to come before the Circuit Court and Judge John Aylmer remarked that this was very much a 'joint enterprise.' A victim impact statement was read out in court on behalf of the victim Mr Doherty. Advertisement The statement on behalf of Mr Doherty, who was not in court, told how the incident had resulted in his home being turned upside down and his life destroyed. He said he thought his life was at risk at one stage when McAteer had the blade to his throat and that he was seriously injured as a result of the attack. The court heard how McAteer has 30 previous convictions for a range of offences including robbery, possession of knives, assault, road traffic, criminal damage and breach of a safety order. Barrister for the accused, Mr Peter Nolan, BL, said his client was actually a very quiet man when sober but is often under the influence of some kind of intoxicant. He had a troubled background, never knew his father and his relationship with his mother is strained although she has always supported him. His brother died tragically earlier this year and this had had a particularly bad impact on McAteer and he realises now that he is at a crossroads in his life and that his life is bleak, said Mr Nolan. McAteer has now broken all contact with the co-accused and other people he was involved with. Mr Nolan added that this was a 'classic situation' of a man with no qualifications, no work history and not ability to be gainfully employed so he slips into the easy way of drinking but now realises that's not the way. He said McAteer had put his hands up and gone forward on a signed plea and was anxious to deal with the case. He added that it was a story that Judge Aylmer has heard numerous times but he was anxious that something be done for McAteer stressing that he agreed with the Judge that this was very much a 'joint enterprise' and that both of them were responsible for it. Passing sentence, Judge Aylmer said the aggravating features of the case was that McAteer had previous convictions for robbery and assault and the fact that he produced a weapon and used it on the homeowner. He added that all this occurred all occurred in the sanctity of Mr Doherty's home where McAteer had been invited as a guest before walking away with his television. His victim had been left in a state of anxiety and depression and had to get counselling to help him for guidance moving forward. Before considering mitigation, Judge Aylmer said he placed the robbery at the upper end of the scale meriting a sentence of 11 years in prison and the production of a knife at the utmost end of the scale meriting a full maximum sentence of five years in prison. He added the accused had come before the court on a signed plea which was 'very wise' where he said almost nothing else could be said for him. He accepted McAteer was remorseful, that gardaí said he was quiet when sober and that his entire criminal record was related to his chronic drug and alcohol addictions, adding he will have plenty of time to address these issues in prison. Due to the signed plea, he was reducing the sentence of robbery to one of seven years and the production of a knife to one of three years with both sentences to run concurrently. He added that he wanted to encourage McAteer to engage in his rehabilitation and said he was suspending the last 12 months of the sentence meaning the accused will serve six years in prison. When the sentence was handed down McAteer spoke up to Judge Aylmer and called the sentence 'disgusting' before being led away by prison officers. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
