Courts / Dublin / Report

Jail for would-be thief who said girlfriend had coronavirus

Summary

James McDonagh, aged 33, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to two counts of attempted robbery and one count of assault causing harm. On 15 March 2020, while intoxicated, he approached two women returning from IKEA, claiming his girlfriend had coronavirus, and attempted to steal handbags, kicking and punching when they resisted. A third woman intervened, leading McDonagh to target her handbag; both women fell and the incident was recorded. Later that day he assaulted Patrick Sylvester, punching him and throwing a traffic cone. McDonagh admitted drinking that day and cited prior alcohol problems. He has 55 previous convictions, including assault and public order offences, and has two children. Judge Martin Nolan emphasised that McDonagh should stop drinking if he wishes to reform. The court imposed the two-and-a-half year custodial sentence.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jail for would-be thief who said girlfriend had coronavirus. Charges or matters: attempted robbery; assault causing harm. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• March 15, 2020 Incident
• 2020-07-03 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Public Order Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report