Patrick McDonagh found guilty of murdering neighbour with machete

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

Patrick McDonagh was found guilty of murdering his neighbour Peter McDonald after a two-week trial at the Central Criminal Court. The proceedings were reported on 12 February 2024.

McDonagh had pleaded not guilty to murder and guilty to manslaughter. A jury unanimously rejected his claim that his responsibility was substantially diminished because he was suffering an acute episode of schizophrenia.

McDonald, 73, was killed at his home on Whitechapel Road, Clonsilla, on 25 July 2020. The report said McDonagh, 52, would be sentenced to life imprisonment by Mr Justice Michael MacGrath on Wednesday, 14 February 2024.

This report covers an earlier stage of the case. Later developments are not reported here.