Courts / Dublin / Report
18 months for criminal with 131 previous convictions who repeatedly threatened to kill gardai
Summary
John Paul McDonagh, 41, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for a series of threats against Gardaí. While on bail, he barricaded himself in a house armed with a hatchet and knife, and repeatedly threatened to kill a named female Garda and a male Garda, calling the female a "dirty slut." He also threatened another officer, saying he would deal with them when he got out. McDonagh pleaded guilty to producing threatening articles in Howth on 27 and 28 March 2020, and to making threats to kill or cause serious harm to Gardaí at the same location and date. He has 131 previous convictions, including threats to kill, assault, weapons possession and witness intimidation. The judge imposed two concurrent three‑year terms for the threats, with the final 18 months suspended and a requirement for alcohol‑use treatment. The sentence will commence in April 2024 after his current term is completed.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 18 months for criminal with 131 previous convictions who repeatedly threatened to kill gardai. Charges or matters: the production of two articles at an address in Howth on March 27 and 28, 2020; making threats to kill or cause serious harm to gardai at the same location and date and making threats to kill cause serious harm to a garda in the Criminal Courts of Justice on March 28, 2020. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 27 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 28, 2020 Other
- February 2020 Incident
- April 2024 Other
- March 27, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2023-07-25 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: the production of two articles at an address in Howth on March 27 and 28, 2020; making threats to kill or cause serious harm to gardai at the same location and date and making threats to kill cause serious harm to a garda in the Criminal Courts of Justice on March 28, 2020 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Crowe sentenced McDonagh to two concurrent terms of three years in prison on the two counts of threats to kill or cause serious harm. The final 18 months of the sentence was suspended for 18 months and McDonagh must undergo treatment for alcohol use during this time.
Places mentioned
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