John McDonagh’s sentence increased for aggravated burglary

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

John McDonagh’s sentence for aggravated burglary was increased by the three-judge Court of Appeal, with the proceedings reported on 12 July 2022.

McDonagh had pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and burglary. Francis Comerford, sitting at Sligo Circuit Criminal Court, had sentenced him to five-and-a-half years in jail, with the final two years suspended for three years.

The Court of Appeal quashed that sentence and substituted seven years, with the final 18 months suspended for two years. The sentence was backdated to 1 August 2020.

The appeal court's judgment was delivered by Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy. The report also recorded defence submissions about the original sentencing judge's discretion and McDonagh's counselling, drug treatment and anticipated rehabilitation placement.