Latest news with #Non-FatalOffencesAgainstthePersonAct
Sunday World
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Sunday World
Former councillor to be sentenced for assault and attack on van during family dispute
Gareth Reid appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court where he pleaded guilty to the charges which arose out of a family dispute over land Former Donegal County Councillor Gareth Reid who appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court. (North West Newspix) A former Donegal County Councillor is to be sentenced after admitting assaulting a man and damaging his van. Gareth Reid appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court where he pleaded guilty to the charges which arose out of a family dispute over land. The former Fine Gael councillor admitted the charges which occurred following an incident at Knockfair, Stranorlar, in May 2021. The 42-year-old was charged with assaulting Paul McCool and causing him harm, the charge being contrary to section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997. Reid, of Lawnsdale, Stranorlar, was also charged with an act of criminal damage. He was charged that he did, without lawful exact, damage property, namely the driver's side of a Peugeot Partner van belonging to Paul McCool, a charge contrary to section 2 (1) of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991. He spoke only to plead guilty to the charges when he appeared before Judge John Aylmer. His barrister, Mr Peter Nolan BL, told the court that Reid has previous convictions 'going back some time'. Mr Nolan said that there is a 'very involved family history in this matter'. He told Judge Aylmer that the matter is also before the High Court over 'lands, wills et cetera' and the court should be informed about these matters. Former Donegal County Councillor Gareth Reid who appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court. (North West Newspix) News in 90 seconds - June 2nd Judge Aylmer requested a probation report and asked that it include an assessment on Reid's suitability for community service. In September 2008, Reid was co-opted onto Donegal County Council, taking the seat of his grandfather, JJ Reid, following his retirement from politics but failed to be re-elected to the Council the following year.
The Journal
3 days ago
- The Journal
Man who threatened ex-partner from prison to change her statement given additional three years
A DONEGAL MAN jailed for stabbing his girlfriend has been given another three years behind bars after phoning her from jail and threatening to kill. Jason McDonagh phoned ex-partner Shauna Greene 18 times from Castlerea Prison in Co Roscommon warning her to change her statement about the vicious attack. The 34-year-old, who has 134 previous convictions, also sent her cards and letters from prison warning her to lie. McDonagh, of Lawne Park, Ballyshannon, appeared before Letterkenny Circuit Court after pleading guilty to intent to pervert the course of justice, contrary to Common Law. He was charged that between 25 May, 2023 and 13 July, 2023, he made phone calls to Shauna Greene from Castlerea Prison in Co Roscommon. These calls had a tendency to pervert the course of justice in that he continuously telephoned Ms Greene and asked for her to withdraw a complaint in relation to a section 3 Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act which was before the court. He asked her to withdraw, change her statement, to state that it was not true, and go to court and tell the judge likewise. In March, 2024, McDonagh was given a four-year prison sentence for assaulting Ms Greene and causing her harm. It followed an incident in May, 2023 when he stabbed the victim five times. He grabbed a knife and began stabbing her and she said all she could feel were sharp pains through her puffer jacket and in her neck. As paramedics attended her, the terrified victim asked them if she was going to die. When interviewed by Gardai, McDonagh initially said he did not stab Ms Greene and said a glass had simply been broken in their flat. However, he later pleaded guilty and was jailed for five years with the last 12 months suspended by Judge John Aylmer in March, 2024. McDonagh appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court after pleading guilty to the single charge of intent to pervert the course of justice. His former partner Ms Greene was present in court along with her new partner to hear the case. Garda Paul Corcoran from Ballyshannon Garda Station said Ms Greene had attended the station and told how McDonagh had contacted her from prison on a number of occasions asking her to drop the charges and say he was not involved. Ms Greene said he warned her that if she did not do as he said he would beat her again and she said she believed McDonagh would kill her if he got out of prison. Advertisement McDonagh also sent Ms Greene three letters and a card while transcripts of 18 phonecalls made by McDonagh were recorded and downloaded by the Governor of Castlerea Prison. In her victim impact statement, Ms Greene, 27, said she was terrified of McDonagh, saying he told her to go to the Garda station and tell them she made up her story. Ms Greene said he pretended to contact other people so he could get in touch with her and told her she was dead when he got out and that she now feared for her life. She added that she now changes her appearance when she is out as she fears meeting McDonagh's family and they tell him where she is. 'I know he will come and find me. He does not like women…he has promised me he will come and kill me,' she added. The court was told McDonagh has 143 previous convictions for a range of offences including assault, public order, theft, breach of barring orders, trespassing, criminal damage and obstruction. Barrister for the accused, Mr Peter Nolan, BL, instructed by solicitor Rory O'Brien , said his client made an early plea even though it would have been proven due to the recordings of the telephone calls from prison. He said his client understands the relationship with Ms Greene is now finished and has said he will have nothing to do with her on his release and that he apologised to her for any stress he caused to her or her mother. Judge John Aylmer said the threat against Ms Greene had to be viewed in the context of the offence he had just committed at the time. He stressed that he was in no sense sentencing him again for the stabbing of Ms Greene but he was considering the charge of intent to pervert the course of justice which led the victim to believe she would be murdered. He added that has to be considered in the context of the stabbing event for which she was trying to recover and he had also to consider where on the scale to place it. He said he placed it in the mid-range and said he was constraining himself by not putting it higher than the headline sentence in the previous assault case. He said due to the intimidating and frightening nature of the threats, it could be argued that the incident could be placed in the higher bracket but added that he would constrain himself. He told McDonagh he took the appropriate action by entering a guilty plea but noted that it was an 'open and shut case' because the phone calls were recorded. He saved Ms Greene the trauma of another trial, as well as saving the state time and effort, and for this he reduced the sentence to one of four years in prison to run consecutive with the current sentence of four years. However, Judge Aylmer said he had to look at the totality principle and although he was not sure if there was room for optimism, he had to try and encourage it. In the interest of rehabilitation, he said he was suspending the last 12 months of that four years sentence in return for signing a bond to keep the peace. He also made an order that McDonagh is not to come within one kilometre of Ms Greene's place of work or residence upon release. 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
Sunday World
3 days ago
- Sunday World
Man jailed for three years for phoning girlfriend from prison and threatening to kill her
"I know he will come and find me. He does not like women… he has promised me he will come and kill me," Shauna Greene added. A Donegal man jailed for stabbing his girlfriend has been given another three years behind bars after phoning her from jail and threatening to kill. Jason McDonagh phoned ex-partner Shauna Greene 18 times from Castlerea Prison in Co Roscommon warning her to change her statement about the vicious attack. The 34-year-old, who has 134 previous convictions, also sent her cards and letters from prison warning her to lie. McDonagh, of Lawne Park, Ballyshannon, appeared before Letterkenny Circuit Court after pleading guilty to intent to pervert the course of justice, contrary to Common Law. He was charged that between May 25, 2023 and July 13, 2023, he did make from Castlerea Prison in County Roscommon, phone calls to Shauna Greene which had a tendency to pervert the course of justice in that he continuously telephoned Ms Greene and asked for her to withdraw a complaint in relation to a section 3 Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997, which was before the court, asked her to withdraw, change her statement, to state that it was not true, and go to court and tell the judge likewise. Castlerea Prison News in 90 Seconds - May 30th In March, 2024, McDonagh was given a four-year prison sentence for assaulting Ms Greene and causing her harm. It followed an incident in May, 2023 when he stabbed the victim five times. He grabbed a knife and began stabbing her and she said all she could feel were sharp pains through her puffer jacket and in her neck. As paramedics attended her, the terrified victim asked them if she was going to die. When interviewed by Gardai, McDonagh initially said he did not stab Ms Greene and said a glass had simply been broken in their flat. However, he later pleaded guilty and was jailed for five years with the last 12 months suspended by Judge John Aylmer in March, 2024. McDonagh appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court after pleading guilty to the single charge of intent to pervert the course of justice. His former partner Ms Greene was present in court along with her new partner to hear the case. Garda Paul Corcoran from Ballyshannon Garda Station said Ms Greene had attended the station and told how McDonagh had contacted her from prison on a number of occasions asking her to drop the charges and say he was not involved. Ms Greene said he warned her that if she did not do as he said he would beat her again and she said she believed McDonagh would kill her if he got out of prison. McDonagh also sent Ms Greene three letters and a card while transcripts of 18 phonecalls made by McDonagh were recorded and downloaded by the Governor of Castlerea Prison. In her victim impact statement, Ms Greene, 27, said she was terrified of McDonagh saying he told her to go to the Garda station and tell them she made up her story. Ms Greene said he pretended to contact other people so he could get in touch with her and told her she was dead when he got out and that she now feared for her life. She added that she now changes her appearance when she is out as she fears meeting McDonagh's family and they tell him where she is. "I know he will come and find me. He does not like has promised me he will come and kill me," she added. The court was told McDonagh has 143 previous convictions for a range of offences including assault, public order, theft, breach of barring orders, trespassing, criminal damage and obstruction. Barrister for the accused, Mr Peter Nolan, BL, instructed by solicitor Rory O'Brien , said his client made an early plea even though it would have been proven due to the recordings of the telephone calls from prison. He said his client understands the relationship with Ms Greene is now finished and has said he will have nothing to do with her on his release and that he apologised to her for any stress he caused to her or her mother. Judge John Aylmer said the threat against Ms Greene had to be viewed in the context of the offence (the assault during which he stabbed Ms Greene) he had just committed at the time. He stressed that he was in no sense sentencing him again for the stabbing of Ms Greene but he was considering the charge of intent to pervert the course of justice which led the victim to believe she would be murdered. He added that has to be considered in the context of the stabbing event for which she was trying to recover and he had also to consider where on the scale to place it. He said he placed it in the mid range and said he was constraining himself by not putting it higher than the headline sentence in the previous assault case. He said due to the intimidating and frightening nature of the threats, it could be argued that the incident could be placed in the higher bracket but added that he would constrain himself. He told McDonagh he took the appropriate action by entering a guilty plea but adding it was an "open and shut case" because the phonecalls were recorded. He saved Ms Greene the trauma of another trial as well as saving the state time and effort and for this he reduced the sentence to one of four years in prison to run consecutive with the current sentence of four years. However, Judge Aylmer said he had to look at the totality principle and although he was not sure if there was room for optimism, he had to try and encourage it. In the interest of rehabilitation, he said he was suspending the last 12 months of that four years sentence in return for signing a bond to keep the peace. He also made an order that McDonagh is not to come within one kilometre of Ms Greene's place of work or residence upon release.
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
More jail time for man who called ex from prison to ask her to change statement
A Donegal man jailed for stabbing his girlfriend has been given another three years behind bars after phoning her from jail and threatening to kill. Jason McDonagh phoned ex-partner Shauna Greene 18 times from Castlerea Prison in Co Roscommon warning her to change her statement about the vicious attack. The 34-year-old, who has 134 previous convictions, also sent her cards and letters from prison warning her to lie. McDonagh, of Lawne Park, Ballyshannon, appeared before Letterkenny Circuit Court after pleading guilty of intent to pervert the course of justice, contrary to Common Law. He was charged that between May 25, 2023 and July 13, 2023, he did make from Castlerea Prison in Co Roscommon, phone calls to Shauna Greene which had a tendency to pervert the course of justice in that he continuously telephoned Ms Greene and asked for her to withdraw a complaint in relation to a section 3 Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997, which was before the court, asked her to withdraw, change her statement, to state that it was not true, and go to court and tell the judge likewise. In March, 2024, McDonagh was given a four-year prison sentence for assaulting Ms Greene and causing her harm. It followed an incident in May, 2023 when he stabbed the victim five times. He grabbed a knife and began stabbing her and she said all she could feel were sharp pains through her puffer jacket and in her neck. As paramedics attended her, the terrified victim asked them if she was going to die. When interviewed by Gardai, McDonagh initially said he did not stab Ms Greene and said a glass had simply been broken in their flat. However, he later pleaded guilty and was jailed for five years with the last 12 months suspended by Judge John Aylmer in March, 2024. McDonagh appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court after pleading guilty to the single charge of intent to pervert the course of justice. His former partner Ms Greene was present in court along with her new partner to hear the case. Garda Paul Corcoran from Ballyshannon Garda Station said Ms Greene had attended the station and told how McDonagh had contacted her from prison on a number of occasions asking her to drop the charges and say he was not involved. Ms Greene said he warned her that if she did not do as he said he would beat her again and she said she believed McDonagh would kill her if he got out of prison. McDonagh also sent Ms Greene three letters and a card while transcripts of 18 phonecalls made by McDonagh were recorded and downloaded by the Governor of Castlerea Prison. In her victim impact statement, Ms Greene, 27, said she was terrified of McDonagh saying he told her to go to the Garda station and tell them she made up her story. Ms Greene said he pretended to contact other people so he could get in touch with her and told her she was dead when he got out and that she now feared for her life. She added that she now changes her appearance when she is out as she fears meeting McDonagh's family and they tell him where she is. "I know he will come and find me. He does not like women... he has promised me he will come and kill me," she added. The court was told McDonagh has 143 previous convictions for a range of offences including assault, public order, theft, breach of barring orders, trespassing, criminal damage and obstruction. Barrister for the accused, Mr Peter Nolan, BL, instructed by solicitor Rory O'Brien, said his client made an early plea even though it would have been proven due to the recordings of the telephone calls from prison. He said his client understands the relationship with Ms Greene is now finished and has said he will have nothing to do with her on his release and that he apologised to her for any stress he caused to her or her mother. Judge John Aylmer said the threat against Ms Greene had to be viewed in the context of the offence (the assault during which he stabbed Ms Greene) he had just committed at the time. He stressed that he was in no sense sentencing him again for the stabbing of Ms Greene but he was considering the charge of intent to pervert the course of justice which led the victim to believe she would be murdered. He added that has to be considered in the context of the stabbing event for which she was trying to recover and he had also to consider where on the scale to place it. He said he placed it in the mid range and said he was constraining himself by not putting it higher than the headline sentence in the previous assault case. He said due to the intimidating and frightening nature of the threats, it could be argued that the incident could be placed in the higher bracket but added that he would constrain himself. He told McDonagh he took the appropriate action by entering a guilty plea but added it was an "open and shut case" because the phonecalls were recorded. He saved Ms Greene the trauma of another trial as well as saving the state time and effort and for this he reduced the sentence to one of four years in prison to run consecutive with the current sentence of four years. However, Judge Aylmer said he had to look at the totality principle and although he was not sure if there was room for optimism, he had to try and encourage it. In the interest of rehabilitation, he said he was suspending the last 12 months of that four years sentence in return for signing a bond to keep the peace. He also made an order that McDonagh is not to come within one kilometre of Ms Greene's place of work or residence upon release.
Dublin Live
4 days ago
- Dublin Live
Man charged over TikTok threats to 'slice Irish babies' appears in court
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A man charged with offences relating to online threats on social media appeared before a special sitting of Portlaoise District Court on Thursday. Beniamin Petre, of no fixed abode, was charged under the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 and under the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024. Detective Garda Mark Russell arrested the accused in Laois on Wednesday under Section 5 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. He was conveyed to Abbeyleix Garda Station. RTE reported that Gardai are awaiting directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions and further charges may be applied. Mr Petre's defence counsel Josephine Fitzpatrick said that her client was not seeking bail and was consenting to be remanded in custody. Judge Andrew Cody remanded Mr Petre in custody to appear again at Portlaoise District Court on June 5 by video link. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
