Courts / Dublin / Report

Prisoner "lost head" and damaged cell after partner's suicide

Summary

In a hearing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Keith McDonnell, aged 29, pleaded guilty to criminal damage to his Mountjoy Prison cell on 21 May 2013. The court heard that McDonnell had been serving a separate sentence for criminal damage at the time of the offence. His former partner, Sarah‑Jane O'Callaghan, said she had died by suicide and that after visiting her in the mortuary McDonnell "lost his head" and went to pieces. A prison officer heard commotion, saw McDonnell shouting and throwing a cup of tea, and after McDonnell threw a television at the ground, the officer left the cell. McDonnell was removed and placed in a special observation cell. The damage to the cell, including a smashed washbasin, broken waste pipes, a 22‑metre glass viewing panel, a modesty screen door, a laminated mirror and a spyhole, cost €1,750. McDonnell has 68 previous convictions, including five for criminal damage, multiple assaults and thefts.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Prisoner "lost head" and damaged cell after partner's suicide. Charges or matters: criminal damage of his prison cell on May 21, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• May 21, 2013 Incident
• May 22 Other
• 2019-02-28 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence

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