Lee McDonnell jailed for affray after attack on gardaí

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

Lee McDonnell was jailed for affray at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 9 May 2024, receiving a two-and-a-half-year sentence. The attack took place on Kylemore Road, Dublin, after a funeral.

The court heard that McDonnell got off a bus and joined an attack on two gardaí who had been surrounded, threatened and pelted with objects by a large group. He lunged towards the officers and tried to punch them before his then-partner pulled him away.

Judge Pauline Codd said McDonnell had not been present when the trouble began but had chosen to involve himself. She said he became part of the attack and could have got off the bus and minded his own business.

McDonnell pleaded guilty to affray. The judge directed that he receive credit for any time already served in custody on this matter alone.