Courts / Dublin / Report

Jail for man who pointed gun at neighbour's head

Summary

James McDonagh, aged 26, was sentenced to four years in prison after he pointed a handgun at Dolores Doyle's head when she asked his children to stop pulling down bunting she had erected in her garden. The incident occurred after Doyle and her husband Patrick, both in their sixties, had repeatedly asked McDonagh's two children to leave their garden. McDonagh threatened violence, including burning the house and killing Doyle's son, and returned with a black six‑inch handgun. He pointed it at Doyle as she tried to return home, then at her husband's face, and later pleaded guilty to threatening to kill or seriously harm the Doyles. The court accepted evidence that the gun was likely not real and that McDonagh had a history of road traffic offences. He had taken steps toward rehabilitation and had moved away from the area. The judge imposed a custodial sentence, suspending the final two years of the four‑year term.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jail for man who pointed gun at neighbour's head. Charges or matters: threatening to kill or cause serious harm to both Dolores and Patrick Doyle on September 20, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• September 20, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2018-06-25 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Road Traffic Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

• Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
• Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
• Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
• 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
• Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
• 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'

Read the original CNI report