Latest news with #LetterkennyDistrictCourt
Sunday World
16-05-2025
- Sunday World
Man shouted ‘you will get it' during Sunday Mass brawl in Donegal church, court hears
Michael McDonagh is charged with threatening and abusive behaviour followed a major disturbance outside the Church of the Irish Martyrs in Letterkenny. A man has been ordered to appear in court to face charges arising out of a brawl between two groups during Sunday mass in the car park of a Co Donegal Catholic church. Michael McDonagh is charged with threatening and abusive behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace. Letterkenny District Court heard the charge followed a major disturbance outside the Church of the Irish Martyrs in Letterkenny on August 18th, 2024. The court was told by Garda Sergeant Maurice Doyle that McDonagh was acting in an aggressive manner "towards another family." It was claimed the 35-year-old was overheard saying "you will get it - bang, bang." A previous court sitting had heard how mass-goers were advised to stay inside after an altercation broke out in the car park of the church during the mass. MIchael McDonagh at Letterkenny District Court. Photo: North West Newspix News in 90 Seconds - May 16th McDonagh, of the Big Isle in Letterkenny, was not in court but had pleaded to a number of charges. The charges also included drug driving offences at Drumnahoagh, Letterkenny on December 19th, 2021 and on the N14 road at Lifford on March 21st, 2024. The court was told there were pleas to the charges. Judge Eiteain Cunningham asked the court what was happening in the church at the time of the disturbance and was told it was a funeral mass. Solicitor for the accused, Mr Frank Dorrian said his client was a relatively young man from a well-established Traveller family in Letterkenny but that he had issues. He said one of the reasons he was not in court was because he was in an emotional state. Mr Dorrian explained that this was a very unseemly event but that his client only took part in matters from a vocal level. He added that others involved in the incident had been sent forward for trial at Letterkenny Circuit Court. The solicitor asked Judge Cunningham that she treat this on the minimum level (of involvement) adding his client was "in great emotional difficulty." However, Judge Cunningham said she did not regard it as 'minimal interaction' and added that she thought McDonagh should come before the court. "I don't think any order could be done in his absence," added the Judge. The case was adjourned until July 3rd next.
Irish Daily Mirror
16-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Donegal man accused of saying 'you will get it - bang bang' during church brawl
A man has been ordered to appear in court to face charges arising out of a brawl between two groups during Sunday mass in the car park of a Co Donegal Catholic church. Michael McDonagh is charged with threatening and abusive behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace. Letterkenny District Court heard the charge followed a major disturbance outside the Church of the Irish Martyrs in Letterkenny on August 18th, 2024. The court was told by Garda Sergeant Maurice Doyle that McDonagh was acting in an aggressive manner "towards another family." It was claimed the 35-year-old was overheard saying "you will get it - bang, bang." A previous court sitting had heard how mass-goers were advised to stay inside after an altercation broke out in the car park of the church during the mass. McDonagh, of the Big Isle in Letterkenny, was not in court but had pleaded to a number of charges. The charges also included drug driving offences at Drumnahoagh, Letterkenny on December 19th, 2021 and on the N14 road at Lifford on March 21st, 2024. The court was told there were pleas to the charges. Judge Eiteain Cunningham asked the court what was happening in the church at the time of the disturbance and was told it was a funeral mass. Solicitor for the accused, Mr Frank Dorrian said his client was a relatively young man from a well-established Traveller family in Letterkenny but that he had issues. He said one of the reasons he was not in court was because he was in an emotional state. Mr Dorrian explained that this was a very unseemly event but that his client only took part in matters from a vocal level. He added that others involved in the incident had been sent forward for trial at Letterkenny Circuit Court. The solicitor asked Judge Cunningham that she treat this on the minimum level (of involvement) adding his client was "in great emotional difficulty." However, Judge Cunningham said she did not regard it as 'minimal interaction' and added that she thought McDonagh should come before the court. "I don't think any order could be done in his absence," added the Judge. The case was adjourned until July 3rd next.
Sunday World
16-05-2025
- Sunday World
Donegal woman who smashed bottle over ex's head had been ‘pushed too far'
Fiona McInerney appeared at Letterkenny District Court after smashing a glass bottle over the man's head. A Co Donegal woman who smashed a bottle over her partner's head after she became fed-up with his drinking habits has been ordered to enter a peace bond. Fiona McInerney attacked her former partner after she was 'pushed to her wits end.' Ms McInerney, appeared at Letterkenny District Court after smashing a glass bottle over the man's head after a verbal altercation on March 5th, 2023. The court was told that the injured party suffered cuts to his head and shoulder following the attack at Robinson Hall, Port Road, Letterkenny. The accused, who was present in court, has no previous convictions. Fiona McInerney. Photo: Newspix News in 90 Seconds - May 16th The woman's solicitor, Mr Frank Murphy, said it was a case that the woman had simply 'been pushed too far' and that she was otherwise of good character. He said that on the night in question the victim had again consumed a large quantity of alcohol. 'She (Ms McInerny) was simply pushed too far. She was at her wits end and had lost it and struck him with a bottle,' said Mr Murphy. Ms McInerney, aged 40, was charged with a Section 3 assault of the injured party. A further charge of Production of Article under Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act was struck out. The court was told that the couple were no longer in a relationship and were living at separate locations. Judge Eiteain Cunningham canvassed for a victim impact statement but was later told there was no statement forthcoming. Passing sentence, Judge Cunningham said she had considered the matter in detail as the accused had no previous convictions, that she had entered a plea to the charge and had also considered the mitigation offer by solicitor Mr Murphy. She added that she was also aware that the couple were no longer in a relationship and that there were other orders in place. However, she stressed to the court that this was still a very serious matter and the fact remained that it was a Section 3 assault. She said she planned to deal with the matter by ordering Ms McInerney to sign a peace bond for a 12 month period and warned her that she would be brought before the court again if this bond is breached.
Irish Daily Mirror
16-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Woman fed up with partner's drinking habits smashes bottle over his head
A Co Donegal woman who smashed a bottle over her partner's head after she became fed-up with his drinking habits has been ordered to enter a peace bond. Fiona McInerney attacked her former partner after she was 'pushed to her wit's end.' Ms McInerney, appeared at Letterkenny District Court after smashing a glass bottle over the man's head after a verbal altercation on March 5, 2023. The court was told that the injured party suffered cuts to his head and shoulder following the attack at Robinson Hall, Port Road, Letterkenny. The accused, who was present in court, has no previous convictions. The woman's solicitor, Mr Frank Murphy, said it was a case that the woman had simply 'been pushed too far' and that she was otherwise of good character. He said that on the night in question the victim had again consumed a large quantity of alcohol. 'She (Ms McInerny) was simply pushed too far. She was at her wits end and had lost it and struck him with a bottle,' said Mr Murphy. Ms McInerney, aged 40, was charged with a Section 3 assault of the injured party. A further charge of Production of Article under Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act was struck out. The court was told that the couple were no longer in a relationship and were living at separate locations. Judge Eiteain Cunningham canvassed for a victim impact statement but was later told there was no statement forthcoming. Passing sentence, Judge Cunningham said she had considered the matter in detail as the accused had no previous convictions, that she had entered a plea to the charge and had also considered the mitigation offer by solicitor Mr Murphy. She added that she was also aware that the couple were no longer in a relationship and that there were other orders in place. However, she stressed to the court that this was still a very serious matter and the fact remained that it was a Section 3 assault. She said she planned to deal with the matter by ordering Ms McInerney to sign a peace bond for a 12 month period and warned her that she would be brought before the court again if this bond is breached.
Sunday World
09-05-2025
- Sunday World
Driver banned after leading gardai in dangerous chase on wrong side of road
Josh Bradley appeared at Letterkenny District Court where he pleaded guilty to the charges arising out of the incident on May 19th, 2024. A Co Donegal driver who led Gardai on a dangerous pursuit driving on the wrong side of the road, swerving across the path of pursuing Gardai and ignoring stop signs, has been fined and put off the road. Josh Bradley appeared at Letterkenny District Court where he pleaded guilty to the charges arising out of the incident on May 19th, 2024. The 24-year-old pleaded guilty to charges of dangerous driving, drink-driving and driving without insurance. The court heard that Bradley, of Ballykerrigan, Cloghan, was observed acting suspiciously in a vehicle parked up at Meeting House Street in Stranorlar at 1.48am. Sergeant Jim Collins said that when approached by Gardai, the black Nissan X-Trail jeep reversed and then drove off leaving Gardai being forced to swerve to avoid the patrol car being struck. Josh Bradley at Letterkenny District Court. (North West Newspix) News in 90 Seconds - May 9th Gardai activated their lights and sirens as the vehicle headed towards McClay's Corner where it engaged in a number of dangerous driving manoeuvres including driving on the wrong side of the road. The jeep then drove on towards Ard McCool where the driver ignored 'stop' signs and when Gardai tried to overtake the offending vehicle, it swerved in their way. The jeep was eventually stopped and when the driver was later tested, a positive reading of 55 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood was given. It was later discovered that the accused, Josh Bradley, was not insured to drive the vehicle. Sergeant Collins said the accused man was very apologetic when he sobered up and confirmed he has no previous convictions. Solicitor for Bradley, Mr Patsy Gallagher, said his client was in college but also worked part-time. He said the incident on the night was a stupid mistake and completely out of character and that his parents were very concerned for Mr Bradley. Mr Gallagher added that this appeared to be "youthful stupidness" and that nothing like this had ever happened in Mr Bradley's formative years and described the incident as a "blip." However, Judge Eiteain Cunningham intervened saying "this was more than a blip" adding that Bradley's actions on the night had put Gardai and other road users at risk. Mr Gallagher replied that his client had since completed and passed the Pro Social Driving Course and confirmed Bradley had not come to the attention of Gardaí since the incident. Passing sentence, Judge Cunningham noted Bradley had completed the Pro Social Driving Course but added that the accused was lucky he was not looking at a suspended jail sentence. She added that this was because he had no previous convictions, that hopefully he has learned his lesson and also that he has completed the Pro Social Driving Course. She fined Bradley €200 and disqualified him from driving for two years for drunk driving, fined him a further €100 and disqualified him from driving for two years for dangerous driving while a charge of driving without a license was struck out.
