Courts / Dublin / Report

Seven-year jail sentence for man who left garda with life-altering injuries

Date
2016-02-05

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Balbriggan

County
Dublin

Summary

Patrick McDonagh, 26, of Balbriggan, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for causing serious harm to Garda Ciaran Murrihy on 29 August 2015. McDonagh pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment, assaulting Garda Stephen Hughes and Garda Vincent Turley, unlawful use of a vehicle and criminal damage. The seven‑year term was imposed for the most serious charge, with a concurrent sentence of three and a half years for assaulting Garda Hughes. The sentences run from 31 August 2015, the date McDonagh entered custody. Garda Murrihy, who is now wheelchair‑bound, described the incident in his victim impact statement, saying the attack left him feeling "useless" and that McDonagh had "stole my life". McDonagh has 19 prior convictions, including drunk driving, robbery and aggravated burglary. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Seven-year jail sentence for man who left garda with life-altering injuries. Charges or matters: causing serious harm to Gda Ciaran Murrihy at Clonuske Rise, Hamlet Lane, Balbriggan on August 29, 2015; reckless endangerment of Gda Murrihy, assaulting Garda Stephen Hughes and Garda Vincent Turley and unlawful use and criminal damage of a vehicle at the same location and date. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

August 29, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
August 31, 2015 Incident
2016-02-05 Publication

Case subjects

Patrick McDonagh

Defendant

Charges: causing serious harm to Gda Ciaran Murrihy at Clonuske Rise, Hamlet Lane, Balbriggan on August 29, 2015; reckless endangerment of Gda Murrihy, assaulting Garda Stephen Hughes and Garda Vincent Turley and unlawful use and criminal damage of a vehicle at the same location and date (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Martin Nolan imposed the seven year sentence on the most serious charge. He imposed a concurrent sentence of three and a half years for the offence of assaulting Gda Hughes.