Courts / Dublin / Report

Man drove over father-in-law, killing him, after shots fired at christening

Date
2024-03-22

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, John McDonagh (36) was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for endangerment after he drove his van over his father‑in‑law, Daniel O'Reilly (58), following a row at a family christening party. The incident began when McDonagh, his wife and a third man left the house, only to return when the third man fired two shots from a starter pistol. McDonagh, claiming he was in "absolute terror and fear," reversed his van, striking O'Reilly, who was behind the vehicle, and then drove over him again while he lay on the ground. O'Reilly suffered cardiac arrest and died from traumatic injuries. McDonagh had six prior minor convictions and pleaded guilty to one count of endangerment, a charge carrying a maximum of seven years. The judge, noting McDonagh's state of terror, reduced the headline sentence of six years to three, citing mitigating factors. The sentencing elicited protests from O'Reilly's family.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man drove over father-in-law, killing him, after shots fired at christening. Charges or matters: one count of endangerment in relation to the death of his father-in-law, Daniel O'Reilly, at McDonagh's then home address on Tymon North Road, Tallaght on August 9, 2020. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

August 9, 2020 Other
2024-03-22 Publication

Why: Defence counsel said that McDonagh drove the the way he did in order to get out of what he believed to be a fatal incident and was in a state of "absolute terror and fear". Defence account reported by CNI

Case subjects

John McDonagh

Convicted Person

Charges: one count of endangerment in relation to the death of his father-in-law, Daniel O'Reilly, at McDonagh's then home address on Tymon North Road, Tallaght on August 9, 2020 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: There were shouts of protest in court today as John McDonagh was sentenced, with family members – including his in-laws – screaming at him as he was led into custody.