Courts / Louth / Report

Suspended sentence for father-of-three who threatened gardai searching halting site

Date
2015-11-06
Stage
Hearing Or Decision
Primary locality
Blackrock
County
Louth

Summary

John McDonagh, 36, a married father of three from St. Louises Park, Temple Hill, Blackrock, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to threatening to kill or seriously harm Garda Donacha Ryan during a search at his halting site on 4 December 2014. He had eleven prior convictions. Judge Desmond Hogan, after hearing evidence in July 2015, adjourned sentencing to allow a probation report. On 6 November 2015, Hogan imposed a four‑year sentence, suspended on conditions including 240 hours of unpaid community work and completion of drug or alcohol treatment programmes as directed by the Probation Service. The court noted that McDonagh had threatened Garda Ryan with petrol and a knife, and had also made threats to other Gardaí. The judge described the area as "an almost no‑go area for Gardaí.".

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for father-of-three who threatened gardai searching halting site. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

Places mentioned

Residence
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Address Area
  • St Louise's Park
Secondary Mention

Topics

Drugs Stage Hearing Or Decision

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