Dublin businessman sent forward for trial on harassment charge linked to former Wicklow home
The Wicklow PeopleA Dublin businessman previously before the courts on burglary allegations linked to his former Wicklow home has now been charged with harassment
Brian McDonagh (65), of Walkinstown, Dublin 12, appeared before a sitting of Bray District Court charged with one count of harassment.
The court heard the matter had previously come before the court as burglary allegations, but the accused is now facing a harassment charge.
Garda Emma Jane Doyle, of Newtownmountkennedy Garda Station, told the court that when cautioned and charged, Mr McDonagh replied to the first charge: “I don’t know, I didn’t interfere with the lock, that was another guy.”
In relation to the second charge, Mr McDonagh stated: “During interview I was stripped to my underwear only for the period of questioning, after which I was allowed put on my trousers by the kind duty officer at 2am in the morning. It was seen by a second duty officer.”
In reply to the third charge sheet, he stated: “This must be a mistake.”
At a previous sitting in October 2025, Mr McDonagh was made subject to bail conditions requiring him to stay away from Drummin House and its grounds and to sign on at Greystones Garda Station every Monday and Friday.
The conditions arose following an alleged incident on February 24, 2025, when gardaí were alerted that the Dublin County Sheriff had attended McDonagh’s former property at Drummin House, Delgany, Co Wicklow, to repossess it.
Mr McDonagh is accused of producing and pointing a shotgun at the sheriff and members of staff as they attempted to enter the property.
Armed gardaí, negotiators from the Garda National Negotiation Unit and members of the Emergency Response Unit were deployed amid concerns the incident could escalate into a hostage or suicide situation.
The court previously heard that at around 2pm, two firearms were later left outside the property before Mr McDonagh was arrested.
Mr McDonagh is due before Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court in relation to those matters and denies all charges.
However, it is further alleged that on October 4 he entered the grounds of Drummin House by going to a gate lodge and posting a notice on the door.
At a previous hearing, Detective Garda Brian Shiggins said Mr McDonagh returned to the property again on October 5, when he was arrested by gardaí and later brought before Bray District Court, where he was granted bail.
Solicitor for the defendant, Michael O’Connor, told the court the matters had previously been due to be struck out, but his client insisted the case proceed before a jury.
Mr McDonagh appeared again on Thursday, May 14, for service of the book of evidence in relation to the harassment charge.
The accused was sent forward for trial to the next sittings of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court on June 3.