A Castlefin woman has affirmed a guilty plea in respect of a serious road traffic collision which left a 10-year-old girl with “catastrophic” injuries.

Gerarldine Havlin appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court where she confirmed her guilty plea before Judge John Aylmer.

The 59-year-old, of Dungorman, Castlefin is charged that she did drive a vehicle without due care and attention thereby causing serious bodily harm to another person at Fanmore, Falcarragh on July 13, 2023.

The charge is contrary to section 52 (1) and 52 (2) (a) of the Road Traffic Act, 1961 as substituted by section 4 of the Road Traffic (No 2) Act 2011.

When asked by the Court registrar if she was affirming her plea, Havlin replied: “Yes”.

Havlin’s barrister, Ms Dara Foynes SC, said that her client is in gainful employment and said the court would benefit from a probation report.

Judge Aylmer said that the Probation Service is under “enormous pressure” and he wished to reduce their burden.

Judge Aylmer asked for an assessment as to Havlin’s suitability for community service.

Legal aid was extended to cover medical reports.

Havlin has come before the Circuit Court on a signed guilty plea from Falcarragh District Court.

A sitting of the District Court last June heard that the injuries sustained by the child were “horrific”, “very serious” and “catastrophic”.

Previously, Judge Éiteáin Cunningham refused jurisdiction after hearing of the nature of the injuries.

The court was previously informed that the accused woman suffered a broken sternum in the incident.

The girl was released that night but two days later was readmitted to hospital having felt unwell. She was diagnosed with a hematoma, caused by the seatbelt of the vehicle arising from the collision.

The court heard that the girl underwent skin graft and had in excess of 30 operations.

Medical reports from two hospitals were shown to Judge Cunningham, who subsequently refused jurisdiction.

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A Judge has ordered a probation and welfare report on a man who caused a disturbance at Letterkenny University Hospital after a court heard he suffered a psychotic episode.

Fergal Macken appeared at Letterkenny District Court.

The 27 year old accused is charged with causing a disturbance at the hospital on January 23rd last.

Garda Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that Macken was roaring and shouting at staff and refused to leave.

He did leave but returned five minutes later and began to caused a nuisance again and Gardai were called.

The court was told that the accused, of Cortolvin Villas in Co Monaghan, had 70 previous convictions, many for similar Public order offences.

However, solicitor Rory O’Brien said his client’s behaviour was not straight forward and he revealed that he had suffered a psychotic episode having randomly got on a bus in Monaghan and ended up in Letterkenny.

He said “He was raised by the state and has ongoing psychological issues. Alcohol has also ben a factor in his life.

“I do not believe that alcohol was involved on this occasion but that he was suffering from a psychotic episode.”

Directing on the case, Judge Emile Daly said Mackin’s early plea was welcome saying he took “ownership of his behaviour.”

She remanded the accused man on bail and adjourned the matter for sentencing on April 20th.

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A woman who was regularly raped by her brother-in-law has said the abuse meant she never got the chance to grow into the person she was meant to be and she is now constantly fighting to stay alive.

Eunan Merritt (56) of Crossroads, Killygordon, was convicted by a jury following an 11-day trial at the Central Criminal Court.

He was found guilty of eight charges of rape, four charges of oral rape and two charges of sexual assault against Cheryl Laverty (now 43) on dates between June 1999 and September 2003. He had denied the charges and does not accept the verdict of the jury.

The abuse began when Ms Laverty was 16 years old and ended when she was 21 years old.

Patricia McLaughlin SC, prosecuting, told Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo that Ms Laverty wishes to waive her anonymity in the case.

Mr Justice Naidoo sentenced Merritt to 12 years in prison with the final six months suspended.

He noted that Ms Laverty spoke in her victim impact statement of how Merritt “took her life and destroyed her future”.

Mr Justice Naidoo said Merritt had exploited Ms Laverty’s vulnerability and had abused her over an extended period of time.

He acknowledged that he had answered questions put to him by gardaí following his arrest but he said this “limited co-operation did not amount to mitigation”.

“The fact that the offending occurred over a number of years means that he is not a person of general good character,” Mr Naidoo said, while acknowledging that there were a number of testimonials before the court on behalf of Merritt.

He accepted that these testimonials described Merritt as a good father and a support to his family, extended family and people in his local community.

Mr Justice Naidoo said it is normal in such cases for accused people to “show one face to their victims, while presenting an entirely different one to those that he is close to and the public in large”.

He accepted that Merritt will be spending a large proportion of the rest of his life in prison and that his risk of re-offending is low, before he suspended the final six months of a 12-year-term on strict conditions for 18 months.

Ms Laverty read her victim impact statement into the record. She said that she has been trying to rebuild her life and that the abuse impacts her daily activities.

“It is something I live with every day – it did not end when the abuse stopped,” she said adding that she “has to live in survival mode with her body braced for danger”.

“I never had the change to grow into the person I was meant to be. Never got to meet the person I was going to be,” the woman continued before she said that the abuse “followed me” into her relationships and her parenting.

She outlined numerous admissions into a psychiatric hospital and said she did eventually explain to her children that “years of trauma and rape had made (her) a vulnerable person”.

Ms Laverty said there was “emotional distance” in her relationships – “not because of lack of love but because of the damage caused to me”.

She said she is fighting to stay alive because of the abuse she has suffered and said she tells her children that this is “not because I don’t love them or their Daddy – it is the pain of the rapes”.

“I am living with the version of me that was left behind after the rape. The abuse did not just harm the girl I was – it shaped the woman I have become,” Ms Laverty said.

She told Merritt that she was “easy to use, easy to silence, easy to shame”. “But I am handing that shame back to you,” she concluded.

Ms McLaughlin told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has put the case in the more serious category warranting a headline sentence of 10 to 15 years.

Dara Foynes SC, defending, said her client is “a man of good character with a good work record” before she handed in multiple references into court including from his sister, his daughter, a close friend, his neighbour and his employer.

Counsel said Merritt has a number of medical issues and that he is the sole provider for his family. He has three daughters.

Ms Foynes confirmed that her client does not accept the verdicts of the jury.

The garda told the court that Ms Laverty has had multiple admissions into psychiatric care and her sister is standing by Merritt.

The investigating garda, Detective Garda Rosarie Monagle, told the court that the Merritt is married to the victim’s older sister and she would have spent a lot of her time at their house because she felt it was “her place of safety”.

She later told gardaí she knew the man all her life and said he was like a brother to her. She would regularly babysit for the couple and he taught her how to drive.

The woman told gardaí that she made it clear she was not consenting to sexual activity with Merritt – “with both her words and her actions; she would be upset and crying”.

She recalled incidences of rape, after he took her out in his car, and incident one St Patrick’s Day, when he unfastened her bra in a pub before offering to give her a lift home. On the way home, he pulled into a quarry and raped her.

At one point she told Merritt she was going to tell her boyfriend what was going on, but he replied “That prick won’t do anything about it”.

She said she felt like this was destined to be her life – referring to being raped by Merritt.

He also raped her after calling into her own home later when she was alone with her baby.

On one of those occasions, he threw her onto the couch and raped her after pinning her down. The baby was in the same room as them at the time.

Another time he raped her in her home while the baby was napping. On a further occasion she tried to prevent him getting into her home by attempting to close the door on him but he managed to get into the house, threw her on the couch and raped her. Her child was also there the final time he raped her in her home.

The investigating garda said it was at this point that the woman decided she would never been raped by Merritt again.

She told him Merritt he was hurting her and ruining her life, but he replied that she did not have a life.

The woman first made a complaint to garda in 2006 but she didn’t follow up on it. She re-engaged again in 2018 and made a total of 16 statements between April 2018 and November 2020.

Merritt was arrested in September 2021 but made no comment during interview. He later claimed that anything which happened between them was consensual.

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A young man is to stand trial following an incident in which a person was left seriously injured following a road collision in Milford.

Eoin Mulvihill appeared at Letterkenny District Court facing one charge.

The 23-year-old, with an address at Ballinfoyle Park, Headford Road in Co Galway, did not speak during the brief hearing.

He is charged with dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm.

The charge relates to an alleged incident at Rossgarrow, Milford on September 26th, 2024.

Garda Pauline Doherty gave evidence of serving the accused with a book of evidence in the case.

Garda Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions had consented for the accused to be sent forward for trial to the current sittings of Letterkenny Circuit Court.

Solicitor for the accused, Mr Patsy Gallagher requested legal aid and one counsel to represent the accused during his trial.

Judge Emile Daly granted the request, gave the accused the alibi warning and adjourned the case.

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A man who accused his former partner of sending pictures to other people before he viciously assaulted her has been jailed for seven months.

Liam Boyle appeared at Letterkenny District Court accused of the assault of his former girlfriend at the home they shared at College Park in Letterkenny.

The court was told that Boyle, now 28, had been drinking all day at the Glencar Inn from 2pm until midnight on March 5th, 2024.

His partner had been with him but she had not been drinking and they walked home together.

When they got to the house, Boyle was stumbling and his speech was slurred and he noticed the woman’s bags were inside a room in the house.

He accused her of sending pictures to other people but when she protested her innocence, Boyle told the woman to “get the f*** out of my house.”

She asked him for help with her bags but he then threw the bags outside and grabbed her by the hair, dragging her eight metres before he threw the young woman out of the house.

The victim banged her head as Boyle attacked her.

Garda Sergeant Jim Collins said the woman attended Letterkenny University Hospital and that her middle finger was fractured and that she had to receive paracetamol.

Her middle finger was taped up but she suffered no long-term physical injuries, he added.

The court was told that Boyle is currently serving a sentence and is not due to be released util January, 2027.

The accused was jailed for two and a half years in February, 2025, for ramming the Carry Out off-license premises on Pearse Road in Letterkenny.

The father-of-one appeared before Letterkenny Circuit Court on a range of charges including endangerment, criminal damage and dangerous driving which he pleaded guilty to.

Boyle’s solicitor, Mr Kieran O’Gorman told Letterkeny District Court that his client was now attending Alcoholics Anonymous in prison and wanted to apologise for all he had done.

He added that Boyle was turning his life around and presented in court as a completely different man.

Passing sentence, Judge Emile Daly said she had read the victim impact statement and described the “serious nature of the assault that occurred.”

It had said the Judge involved the injured party having her finger broken and had been pulled by the hair and dragged around the house.

The injured party had suffered feelings of “self consciousness and the loss of her income.”

She sentenced Boyle to seven months imprisonment.

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A Buncrana man has been charged with stealing a total of €1,200 in cash over a prolonged period of time from the till of a pub in the town.

Gerard McLaughlin, of 40 Allendale, Buncrana, appeared before Buncrana District Court, where details of nine separate charges against him were revealed.

The 55-year-old is charged with eight theft offences at the Excelsior Bar, Main Street, Buncrana, including two alleged thefts of €250 in till change bags, two alleged thefts of €150 in till change bags, and four alleged thefts of €100 in till change bags, all of which were the property of Brendan McLaughlin.

The offences, which are contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Theft and Fraud Offences Act 2001, are alleged to have taken place during various dates in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Community Employment worker Mr McLaughlin is further charged with attempting to commit an offence of the theft of till change at the Excelsior Bar, an indictable offence, contrary to Common Law.

Gardai said he made no reply to all nine charges after caution, while the DPP has directed summary disposal in the case, which means it will be dealt with at the District Court.

Inishowen Judge Emile Daly formally accepted jurisdiction, after defence solicitor Rory O’Brien had outlined how the total value involved in the alleged thefts amounted to €1,200.

Gardai consented to bail on a number of conditions, including that Mr McLaughlin is not to enter the licensed premises of the Excelsior Bar.

The court was told how he has family living in a private dwelling above the bar, but he is not permitted to enter the licensed premises area below.

Mr McLaughlin must also be of good behaviour and have no contact whatsoever with the alleged injured party, either directly or indirectly, including by electronic means.

Solicitor O’Brien made an application for statements, and he was granted Legal Aid in the matter.
Judge Daly adjourned the case until May 14 next, with Mr McLaughlin signing a bail bond before leaving the courtroom.

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A man who was caught with bolt cutters and cash he could not account for after a church was broken into in Co Donegal has been jailed for three months.

Gheorghe Zoltan appeared at Letterkenny District Court accompanied by prison officers.

The 49-year-old is already serving a suspended prison sentence for breaking into churches in both the Cork and Kerry areas.

Zoltan, a Romanian national who has been living in Ireland since 2022, was charged with stealing property, the property of Fr Francis Bradley.

The charge is contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and fraud Offences) Act of 2001.

It follows a break-in to St Mary’s Oratory in Buncrana on January 26th last.

Garda Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that Gardai had received a report that St Mary’s Church had been broken into and that a number of collection boxes had been stolen.

While on patrol, Gardai came across Zoltan and another man at an Applegreen Filling Station.

When searched, the men were in possession of a bolt-cutters and more than €250 in cash which they could not account for.

CCTV from the church was examined and it showed Zoltan and another man in the church.

Sergeant Collins told the court that it took the men seven minutes and twenty seconds to remove cash from church envelopes.

When charged by Gardai, the court was told that Zoltan replied “I’m sorry about this.”

Solicitor for the accused, Mr Patsy Gallagher, said his client was a “patsy” in the case and that he was with another person who appeared to have more influence.

He asked the court to consider his client’s full and frank admission, his social background and his deep remorse.

“He is very apologetic for his actions and he is very embarrassed. He has been on remand on these charges since he was arrested,” added Mr Gallagher.

Judge Emile Daly asked Mr Gallagher if his client was working and was told no.

When asked if there was a reason why he wasn’t working, the solicitor replied that there was a difficulty with the language barrier.

Mr Gallagher also said there were “difficulties with certain nationalities getting work in certain areas.”

Judge Daly replied that it didn’t help when people were stealing from churches.

Passing sentence Judge Daly said the theft involved offerings that parishioners had made to the church.

Describing it as a “low form” of theft, she said showed a degree of disrespect.

She took into account the defendant’s plea but noted a previous similar theft when he had expressed remorse for his actions.

She sentenced Zoltan to three months in prison.

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A Moville man facing serious drugs charges could face up to ten years in prison, an Inishowen court sitting has heard.

Tyler McHenry, of 6 Foyleview Crescent, Moville, appeared before Buncrana District Court for service of the Book of Evidence, which includes four separate drugs charges.

The 26-year-old defendant will now face trial at Letterkenny Circuit Court.

Mr McHenry is charged with having cannabis worth €13,000 or more in his possession for sale or supply, contrary to Section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

He is further accused of another count of having cannabis for sale or supply, as well as two counts of possession of drugs, contrary to Section 3.

The charges follow a search of his address at Foyleview Crescent, Moville on November 28, 2024.

Gardai gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution in court, with Mr McHenry replying ‘yes’ and ‘okay’ to the charges.

Sgt Conor Mulkerns outlined how the Director of Public Prosecutions consents to the accused being sent forward for trial to the present sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court on charges 1 to 4 in the statement of charges in the Book of Evidence.

Judge Emile Daly noted that the Book of Evidence had been served before giving the defendant the ‘alibi warning’, which means that he is required to give written notice to the State Solicitor within fourteen days if he intends to rely on an alibi as part of his defence.

“I’m now making an order returning you for trial by judge and jury to Letterkenny Circuit Court,” the judge explained to Mr McHenry.

The judge made a Section 56 order, directing that all copies of Garda video interviews be shared with the defence.

Defence solicitor Patsy Gallagher applied for legal aid for two barristers. He said Mr McHenry could face “a possible ten-year sentence, given the value” of the drugs involved.

The Moville man was released on continuing bail, signing a bail bond before leaving the courtroom.

Meanwhile, Mr McHenry’s case was mentioned at Letterkenny Circuit Court. Judge John Aylmer made a Section 15 order and a witness and exhibits order, and the case was adjourned to the next session of the Circuit Court in May.


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An Annagry man who was hospitalised after jumping from the first floor of the Mill Park Hotel and resisting arrest has been sentenced to seven months in prison for then escaping garda custody at Sligo University Hospital.

He was also sentenced to five months in prison for a charge of dangerous driving.

Jake Barret, 23, of Glen Road, Annagry before a recent sitting of Ballyshannon District Court, having been brought from Castlerea Prison.

The court heard that Barret had gone through extremely traumatic experiences, and had since made huge strides to change his life. Judge Éiteáin Cunningham told the defendant that he was ‘at a crossroads’ in life, and it was up to himself to continue on a positive path upon release.

Barret admitted dangerous driving at Drumlonagher, Donegal Town, on September 22, 2025. The offence is contrary to Section 53(1) of the Road Traffic Act.

He further admitted resisting or obstructing Garda Gerard Curtis in the execution of his duty. That offence took place at the Mill Park Hotel, Donegal Town on the same date and is contrary to Section 19(3) of the Criminal Justice Act (Public Order) Act, 1994.

The defendant pleaded guilty to escaping from Sligo University Hospital, The Mall, Sligo, while being in lawful custody there. That offence also took place on September 22, 2025, and is contrary to Common Law.

Inspector Dermot Treacy told the court that on the date in question, gardaí observed a white Audi A4 being driven by the defendant.

“The defendant failed to stop, forcing vehicles to take evasive action,” said the inspector. “Gardaí lost sight of the vehicle, but later sighted it at the Mill Park Hotel.”

Staff at the hotel directed gardaí to the lobby, and Barret then jumped from the first floor into the bar area in an effort to evade gardaí.

He resisted gardaí but was arrested and conveyed to Ballyshannon Garda Station, from where he was brought to Sligo University Hospital for x-ray due to an injury.

“He couldn’t be handcuffed due to his arm being in a sling,” said Inspector Treacy. “He escaped, ran up the Mall and escaped in the grounds of ATU. He was later arrested.”

The court heard that Barret had numerous previous convictions.

Solicitor Rory O’Brien reminded the judge that she had encountered Barret in her previous role as presiding judge in District One which included Letterkenny District Court.

The solicitor outlined major trauma that Barret had suffered, which led to PTSD and a total disregard for his own safety.

“Mr Barret has asked me to thank gardaí for what they did in arresting him,” said Mr O’Brien.

“He was suffering from mental health difficulties which contributed to his inability to cooperate, to compose himself, to think rationally due to an absence of various mediation for which he was prescribed.

“He evaded gardaí at the Mill Park due to complete and utter panic. He jumped, he could have hurt himself. The garda used reasonable force and my client suffered injury as a result.”

The solicitor said Barret had decided to run away from hospital, and was detected a couple of hours later and brought into custody. A subsequent bail application was refused, and Barret has been in custody since that time.

Mr O’Brien said his client had done ‘exceptionally well’ in prison, engaging in educational opportunities and not coming to any adverse attention.

The solicitor said that unusually with a man with this pattern of offending behaviour, he did not suffer from addiction.

“He doesn’t drink, doesn’t do drugs, at all,” said Mr O’Brien.

He referred to the trauma that his client had suffered, and a subsequent ‘slump’ caused by prescribed medication.

A change of medication led to a positive change in behaviour, during which time Barret completed the Pro Social Driving Course and secured employment. However, he came off the medication.

“He found himself on a spiral, worse than he ever was before,” said Mr O’Brien.

The solicitor said Barret had a plan in place for when he left prison, with accommodation and employment secured elsewhere in the country.

A sentence which he is serving from District One will finish on April 14, the court heard.

In appealing for leniency, Mr ‘Brien said: “He is doing extremely well on appropriate medication. He looks better, sounds better and is more engaged. The issues that applied before that have dissipated.”

He added: “We are all built differently. He has done everything right in prison. He is keen to finalise these matters, to get out and rebuild his life.

“His mother has been in court every time supporting him. She knows that the struggle for Jake is real.

“He has had to deal with a lot. He is sorry for his behaviour. He has the support network, has everything in place.”

Judge Cunningham said the matters were of a very serious nature, adding that the previous convictions in District One and the matters before her in District Two had required significant garda resources.

However, she acknowledged the difficulties Barret had experienced, and that he was receiving psychiatric care in prison.

For escaping custody, the defendant was sentenced to seven months in prison backdated to September 23 last. He was sentenced to five months from the same date for dangerous driving, and was disqualified from holding a licence for four years. The charge of obstructing a garda was taken into consideration.

Judge Cunningham told the defendant: “Upon release it is very important that you continue to engage with the mental health services. Counselling is something you should explore on an ongoing basis in order to deal with the trauma you have endured.

“It is a crossroads now in your life. Only you can make the decision on what path you go down upon release.

“I wish you well.”

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A Buncrana man who assaulted his female partner after kicking her front door in has been sentenced to one month in prison, suspended for six months.

Eamon Grant, of The Meadows, Buncrana, pleaded guilty to charges of assault and criminal damage at Buncrana District Court.

Imposing a suspended jail sentence, Judge Emile Daly described the incident as a “frightening situation for the injured party”.

The judge warned the 36-year-old defendant that he will be imprisoned if he comes to any adverse Garda attention within the next months.

Defence solicitor Frank Dorrian said Mr Grant struggles with alcohol addiction but is trying to address his demons, and he deeply regrets his actions.

Garda Sergeant Conor Mulkerns presented the facts of the uncontested case in court. He said gardai responded to a reported domestic incident at a home in the Meadows, Buncrana, on July 8, 2025.

On arrival at the location, they found that the front door had been kicked in, while the injured party reported that Mr Grant had broken down the door before assaulting her. The woman alleged that Mr Grant struck her in the legs, arm, and chest, causing her pain.

Mr Grant, who was highly intoxicated, was arrested and brought to Buncrana Garda Station, where he was later interviewed in relation to the alleged offences.

Judge Daly queried the relationship between the injured party and Mr Grant, with solicitor Dorrian informing the court that they are long-term partners.

The court was further told that Mr Grant has two previous convictions for Public Order offences dating back to 2007.

Sgt Mulkerns said there was no victim impact statement in the matter, while the injured party had suffered minor injuries, including bruising on the shoulder and pain in the finger and wrist.

Photos of the injuries and the damaged door were handed into the judge.

Defending the case, Mr Dorrian said his client and the injured party have been in a long-term relationship, while excessive drinking caused Mr Grant to behave the way he did.

“They have been together for twenty years and have four children. My client arrived home in a very intoxicated condition, with cans of beer with him, and she quite rightly refused entry. This gave rise to annoyance on his part, and he kicked the door.”

“He was residing there, and he realises that it’s not an acceptable means of addressing an argument, but that’s what happened. He returned some time later in a more advanced state of intoxication. He came back, an argument ensued, and it spilled over into this unseemly event.”

“My client was heavily intoxicated. He was at that time taking refuge in alcohol. He apologises to the injured party. He regrets his actions.”

Mr Dorrian said Mr Grant had descended into a “situation of despair, lashing out at people around him, who are blameless” – but he’s now attempting to curb his alcohol consumption.

“He tells me that his drinking is playing a lesser role in his life at the moment; he’s trying to moderate his consumption.”

“He would need some help with counselling in respect of his overall welfare; He tells me that is something that he has dabbled in, but not yet really addressed properly.”

Judge Daly interjected at this point, asking: “Is he prepared to stop drinking alcohol?”

Mr Dorrian replied: “He would be prepared to make a pledge. He is trying to stop but it’s a struggle and a long process.”

The judge further enquired: “Is he still with the injured party?”

The solicitor replied: “Yes-ish. It’s a situation that is not exactly harmonious. It is an uneven relationship, but the resolution of that resides entirely with his attitude and his behaviour, not hers.”

The court heard how the door, which had come off its hinges, was fixed the following day.

Having heard the evidence, Judge Daly imposed a conviction and a term of imprisonment for one month, suspended for six months, on the basis that Mr Grant remains of sober habits and does not come to the attention of the gardai within that six-month period.

“I have no doubt that this was a frightening situation for the injured party, who at nighttime had her front door broken into. And then, having got into the house, he proceeded to hit her. That’s not something that I take lightly in any respect,” the judge warned.

Judge Daly said it was also concerning that the incident had arisen out of an alcohol dependency, and yet the defendant hasn’t stopped drinking.

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A Carrigart man caught with almost €4,000 worth of cocaine said he planned to sell the drugs to help fund the building of his house.

Joseph McHugh, 36, appeared before Letterkenny Circuit Court where he pleaded guilty to having drugs for sale or supply.

The court was told that McHugh, a builder by trade, had been stopped by Gardai in his car, a silver Vauxhall Vectra, at Bonagee outside Letterkenny on October 9th, 2019.

Garda Sergeant Maurice Doyle told prosecution barrister, Ms Fiona Crawford, BL, that a search of the car found two bags containing a white powder and a small amount of suspected cannabis.

At the time of his arrest, McHugh admitted that the cocaine was to be used for sale or supply but the cannabis was for his own personal use.

The substances were analysed and confirmed to be cocaine and cannabis with the cocaine having a value of approximately €3,480 and the cannabis a value of €12.

Barrister for the accused, Mr Peter Nolan, BL, said his client had been totally cooperative with Gardai when he was caught with the drugs.

Mr Nolan said that at the time, his client had been building a house and was in financial difficulty and that “negative acquaintances’ had told him there was good money to be made selling cocaine.

The barrister said it was a harebrained idea which went wrong.

However, since this incident in 2019, the accused had not come to Garda attention.

Instead, he signed himself into White Oaks Rehabilitation Centre to deal with his addiction issues and has been successful in dealing with those addictions.

He now attends Alcoholics Anonymous up to three times a week and helps other people with addiction issues.

Mr Nolan said he had the benefit of two reports from the Probation Services for his client, one dated in 2023 and the other in 2025.

The first placed him as being at a moderate risk of reoffending but the latest report last year placed McHugh as now being of a low risk.

A number of positive reports were also read out in court on behalf of the accused man.

Mr Nolan said that his client was a very hard worker and had his own building company and now employed five people and had just started a new project.

He added that his client now has an enhanced understanding of his behaviour at the time of the incident.

The accused also has an 18-year-old daughter with a former partner and they were all on good terms while his current partner was in court with him and fully supported him also.

Mr Nolan stressed that his client has not come to Garda attention since the incident in 2019 and has taken every opportunity to rehabilitate himself.

He now wants to continue that upward trend and become a positive member of society, he added.

“He is extremely worried about these proceedings. He is hard working, pays his taxes and has taken his opportunity and I would suggest this is an aberration,” added the man’s barrister.

Passing sentence, Judge John Aylmer remarked that this was a very serious offence and that cocaine was becoming “more and more of a scourge in our society.”

He placed the incident in the mid-range and merited a sentence of five years in prison before mitigation.

However, the mitigating factors included the lack of previous convictions, the fact that he had fallen into addiction, the fact that he was fully cooperative and the fact that he had used his time so well to rehabilitate.

Judge Aylmer also noted the fact that the two probation reports had gone from placing McHugh from being a moderate risk of reoffending to being at a low risk of reoffending.

Giving the accused credit for his early plea and lack of previous convictions, he said he was reducing the sentence from one of five years to two years.

He added that fortunately, because of the lack of previous convictions and his excellent rehabilitation, this was one of those unique positions that he could suspend that two year sentence in its entirety.

He ordered McHugh to sign a bond in the sum of €100 to keep the peace for two years.

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A fisherman is to stand trial for allegedly stabbing two colleagues on a boat off the coast of Donegal.

Aodhan Kilfeather is to appear before the next sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court.

The 25-year-old, with an address at Cartron Bay, Sligo, faces two charges.

He is charged that on a date unknown between 2 and 3rd of May, 2025, at an unknown location in Co Donegal, did while committing an offence, to wit, stabbed a person in the neck with a knife in the course of a dispute produce in a manner likely unlawfully to intimidate another person an article capable of inflicting serious injury, to wit, a serrated edged four inch knife.

The offence is contrary to Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990.

He is also charged that on May 3rd, 2025, also an an unknown location in Co Donegal, did while committing an offence, to wit, stabbed a person on the right hand side of the face with a knife in the course of a dispute produce in a manner likely unlawfully to intimidate another person an article capable of inflicting serious injury, to wit, a butter knife.

Garda Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed trial by indictment in the circuit court.

Sergeant Collins told the court that a further charge is to be preferred against the accused.

He added that there was consent for the accused to go forward for trial on a signed plea.

Mr Gallagher asked that if the state are making an application to amend the charge they may put him on notice as to what the charge is in relation to the location.

He remarked that it may be an issue in relation to international waters.

The case was adjourned to April 27th next with Mr Gallagher asking for disclosure by March 31st.

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A man who caused the unlawful termination of a woman’s pregnancy after forcing her to take five ‘abortion’ pills and then locking her in a room at a house in Co Donegal has been jailed for nine years.

Adeleke Adelani, 28, told his former girlfriend that he would beat her nine-week old foetus out of her if she did not take the tablets on St Valentine’s Day in 2020.

The victim, who asked for Adelani to be named publicly, had told the court that she will alway grieve her child saying “Healing does not erase the loss it only means I learned how to live with it.”

Sentencing the accused to eleven years with the final two years suspended, Judge John Aylmer said the accused man’s actions were “extremely premeditated.”

He referred back to the evidence given at a sentencing hearing last week saying how Adelani had ‘lured” the woman to Letterkenny on the pretence that they were to have the baby together.

He then told how the accused had done a great deal of research on the internet as to how to carry out the termination while all the time knowing of the woman’s express desire to keep her baby.

He referred to the woman’s victim impact statement saying that while she was forgiving of  Adelani in a very christian way, it was clear from it nevertheless of the “appalling emotional trauma” that the woman suffered by his actions.

And he told the accused “You ignored her obvious distress. Her tears were audible in the recording you made.”

Judge Aylmer added “It’s quite difficult to contemplate a more serious offence contrary to this statutory provision.”

Standing dressed in a grey tracksuit, his right leg shaking, the accused did not show any emotion as the sentence was passed.

Judge Aylmer said the most serious charge was the unlawful ending of the life of a foetus as well as assault causing harm to the woman.

He said he was also taking into consideration the threats made to the woman and the false imprisonment of the woman.

He added that he had no precedent on the scale of the incident as no such charge had come before his court before and that he had to make his own assessment on the sentencing.

He placed the offence very much on the upper end of the scale and before mitigation merited a sentence of eleven years for the unlawful ending of the life of a foetus and five years for the assault of the woman.

In mitigation, the Judge said he had to consider the accused man’s plea of guilty and the fact that he was using his time well in prison.

He also noted that he had written a letter to his victim and that it did appear that he was remorseful and that victim empathy had been expressed in court.

Because of the mitigation, Judge Aylmer said he was reducing the headline sentence of eleven years for the unlawful ending of the life of a foetus to one of nine years and also reduced the sentence of five years to one of four and half years for the assault of the woman.

Both of these sentences are to run concurrently.

He is currently serving five a half years in prison having been sentenced for another crime in November 2025 with the current sentences to run consecutive to this sentence.

The accused had previously pleaded guilty to the charge that he unlawfully ended the life of a foetus, contrary to section 23.2 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018.

The charge relates to administering, supplying or procuring any drug, substance, instrument, apparatus or other thing knowing that it was intended to be used or employed with intent to end the life of a foetus, or being reckless as to whether it was intended to be so used or employed.

He also pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting the woman and causing her harm, contrary to section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.

Garda PJ Folan outlined the incidents to barrister for the state, Mr Paul Greene, SC, with Fiona Crawford, BL.

Garda Folan outlined how Gardai arrived at what was believed to be a domestic incident in Letterkenny just before 2.20pm on the date in question.

They found a woman in the house and it coincided with Adelani coming back to the house at Ashlawn.

The woman, who is now aged 26, outlined how she had been forced to take the tablets which Adelani had procured from a pharmacy in Dublin.

The court was told that Adelani had been a student at the Letterkenny Institute of Technology and that he had met the woman on Snapchat.

The woman initially became pregnant with Adelani in October 2019 and they both decided to abort the baby with help from a doctor who prescribed abortion tablets.

The woman became pregnant again with Adelani in January 2020 and decided to keep the baby having visited a friend in London and discussing her situation.

The accused was due to go on holiday on February 7th but when he heard that the woman had skipped an appointment to see her GP as she now wished to keep the child, he cancelled the holiday.

He invited the woman to his home in Letterkenny under the belief that he too wanted to keep the baby and they both went to his home in Ashlawn where he turned on her.

A conversation between Adelani and his victim when he told her she had to have an abortion was played to the courtroom.

In the exchange, the accused is heard making most of the conversation while music plays in the background.

The court was told that Adelani forced the woman to take five misoprostol 200mg tablets, told her how to swallow them and then locked her in a bedroom.

He is heard telling the woman “I’m showing you what to do… take this… I’m dead serious… I’m forcing you. I don’t care, take it.”

He is also heard saying ““It’s either you eat this or I beat that kid out of you tonight. I’m dead serious…I’m forcing you. I don’t care. Take it.”

The evidence of the conversation on the accused man’s phone could not be accessed until two weeks before he was previously due to stand trial because he refused to give Gardai his pin number for his phone more than four years.

When they eventually managed to access the pin number, Adelani’s phone history showed him accessing information including searches for how to perform an abortion.

When questioned by Gardai, Adelani said he was not the woman’s boyfriend but that they were just “f***ing.”

Evidence was given how the woman reacted badly after being given the tablets.

She came down with a fever, she was shivering and she also had cramps.

She went to the toilet at one stage and she was passing large clots of blood and she was in great pain, the court was told.

After this had happened, the accused went out and bought a pregnancy test and the woman saw her chance and called Gardai.

This was when Gardai called to the house and the woman was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital to be treated at the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit.

The accused was arrested but despite being interviewed four times, he made no admissions, said Garda Folan.

The woman said she would like to read out her own victim impact statement and said that what the defendant did to her did not end when the crime was over.

However, it became something I carried inside my body, my mind, and my heart, she said.

Sitting just feet from the accused, the woman said “When he wrongfully imprisoned me and caused the termination of my nine-week pregnancy, he took far more than my freedom. He took my child. He took my sense of safety. He took a future that I had already begun to plan and love. My baby was real to me. I had hopes, dreams, and a bond with the life that was growing inside me, and all of it was violently stolen from me in a moment of cruelty that I will never forget.

The fact that this happened on Valentine’s Day makes the pain even deeper. A day meant to represent and celebrate love became the day he showed hatred not just toward me, but toward my unborn child. While the world celebrated love, I was trapped, terrified, and losing my baby at the hands of someone I thought I could trust instead chose violence and not care.”

She added that after the crime, Adelani’s denial caused another layer of harm for her.

“I was left feeling invisible and alone. I lost friends through him denying what he did to me and my unborn child. I lost the support I needed to help me through that time . During COVID, when the world was already isolating, I carried this trauma largely by myself. I tried to distract myself just to survive the grief, the shock, and the emptiness left behind by the loss of my child and the life I believed I was going to have.

“For a time, I lost myself. It changed how I saw the world, how I trusted, and how I understood love. But I want the Court to know that I did not remain in that darkness. Through healing and faith, I opened my heart again. I found love not only in my amazing husband, who treats me with the love, dignity and kindness I always deserved, but in Christ, who carried me when I could not carry myself. My faith gave me strength when I was broken, and it gave me peace when I thought I would never feel whole again.

“I would also like to say something that stems from that faith. I have forgiven the defendant. The forgiveness does not mean what he did was acceptable. It means I refuse to let what he did continue to control my heart and my life. I truly hope that during his time in custody he will use the opportunity to seek God, reflect on the harm he caused not just to me but to anyone he has ever affected either in this same way or another, and I hope he genuinely chooses to become a better person by the time his sentence is complete.”

The woman added that even with healing and forgiveness, the impact of this crime remains with her.

She said “I will always grieve my child. I will always remember what was taken from me. Healing does not erase the loss it only means I learned how to live with it.

“I am here today to ensure justice is served and to honour my baby, my truth, and the strength it took to survive this. What happened mattered. My child mattered. And justice matters.”

The prosecution case was led by Mr Greene SC, with Ms Fiona Crawford BL, instructed by State Solicitor Mr Kieran Dillon. The accused man was represented by Mr James McGowan SC, with Mr Sean McGee BL, instructed by solicitor Mr Rory O’Brien.

In mitigation, barrister for the accused, Mr McGowan, SC, said his client had struggled with his mental health and had been involved in drug misuse.

His early teenage years were disruptive and chaotic and that he had been expelled from school a number of times but had completed his education.

In a letter to his victim, which was read in court, the accused man said he now takes full responsibility for his actions.

He said he was “heavily apologising” for the pain he caused and added: “It was also my child and a hole was also pierced in my heart”.

He said: “The thought of the pain I caused weighed heavily. I am now summoning the strength to face you and say sorry; not because I got caught but because I took away something that can never be replaced.”

The man said he has been studying conflict resolution while in prison and the court heard that the defendant’s current partner is now three months pregnant. The man said he wants to support his partner, raise his child and “be the man my family needs me to be”.

He pleaded with Judge Aylmer for a second chance and his letter concluded: “I won’t take it for granted, if given.”

The Donegal Domestic Violence Service helpline number is 1800 262 677. This is also a 24/7 helpline.

Anyone who is a victim of the crime of Domestic Abuse or Sexual Violence should contact their local Garda District Headquarters or, in an emergency, call 999/112.

The District headquarters numbers are as follows:

Letterkenny – 074 9167100
Buncrana – 074 9320540
Milford – 074 9153060
Ballyshannon 071 9858530

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Two men at the centre of a major human trafficking probe in Donegal will now be sentenced together after the State sought to have an order varied, which had stated that they be dealt with separately.

Eastern European duo Georgijs Poniza (37) and Armen Pogosyan (30), each with an address at Assaroe Falls, Ballyshannon, face a total of 34 charges (17 each), including apiece of people trafficking.

At a recent sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court, Judge John Aylmer said he would deal with Pogosyan’s sentencing in late February at Cavan Circuit Court.

However, Barrister for the State Ms Fiona Crawford BL, brought a fresh application before Judge Aylmer.

Ms Crawford asked for the matter of Pogosyan be adjourned until May to link up with Poniza’s case.

A people trafficking charge carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, the court heard.

Ms Crawford told Judge Aylmer that there are seven injured parties in the case, all of different nationalities. The court heard that all seven have prepared victim impact statements, but one would be unavailable for the February date while a Garda assigned as a family liaison officer would be out of the country on that date.

Pogosyan and Poniza have been in custody since their arrest in October 2023.

“The concern of the State is that these people have to give evidence to court this time and at another date in May,” Ms Crawford said. “Prudently, if there was one sentence date it would help in that regard.”

Judge Aylmer said that the accused have been in custody for “a long time” and that he was sympathetic to the position of Pogosyan, who addressed him on the previous occasion.

“I do see the practicality of matters,” Judge Aylmer said at the latest hearing on the matter.”
Judge Aylmer acceded to the application made by Ms Crawford. Pogosyan was remanded in custody to the May sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court.

The pair were due to stand trial before a six-week special sitting of the court in October, but they entered guilty pleas when arraigned.

A probation report is available for Pogosyan, but not for Poniza, who was allocated one appointment, but that was not completed. Other possible slots for Poniza to engage were not available from the Prison Service.

Last week, Pogosyan told Judge Aylmer: “I wish to say that I am in prison from 2023, from October 2023. I have did more than a two-year sentence and I am still waiting to get sentenced.

“It is very difficult mentally. It is very pressure. I have no-one in Ireland. I am far from my family and it is giving me big pressure on my mental health and I am trying to do my best in this prison.

“I have been in prison for nearly 28 months – just waiting. I have nightmare and I cannot stay without my future.”

The men face 17 similar charges, including seven charges each of people trafficking on various dates – offences contrary to section 4(1)(a)(b) and (c) and 4(7) of the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act, 2008.

They are also facing charges relating to money laundering and forgery.

They have also been charged with participating in the activity of a criminal organisation and they are facing charges relating to money laundering and forgery.

Poniza was charged with being in possession of €51,100 which was the proceeds of criminal conduct and Pogosyan faced a similar charge in respect of €14,060.

The victims in the case cannot be identified with section 11 of the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008 having been cited by counsel.

The case centres around the trafficking of people who were brought into the country to work at a business in south Donegal.
Detectives, accompanied by international colleagues, swooped on the men after a large-scale investigation into the alleged trafficking of persons into Ireland for the purpose of labour exploitation.

Europol officers were in Donegal during an international Law Enforcement Operation, which involved a Joint Investigation Team that was established in conjunction with Law Enforcement in Latvia.

An Garda Síochána’s Human Trafficking Investigation and Coordination Unit (HTICU) at GNPSB, the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB), Garda Mutual Assistance Section and the Garda Síochána Analysis Service (GSAS) are all involved in the probe.

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An inquest into the deaths of two teenage friends in Co Donegal has heard how the tragedy could have been caused by an animal crossing the road.

The two teenage friends, both aged 18, were killed when the car in which they were traveling lost control and ended up in a wooded area Terrawee, Gleneely, at approximately 12.45am on November 6th, 2023.

The families of Alana Harkin and Thomas Gallagher, both 18, gather at Buncrana Courthouse today for the heartbreaking double-inquest which heard the tragic last moments of the cherished teenagers.

The inquest heard that speed, alcohol or the condition of the Seat Ibiza car being driven by Ms Harkin were NOT considered factors in the fatal crash.

Both those who died in the tragedy were friends and were from Gleneely.

Alana had finished her Leaving Certificate the previous summer while Thomas was in his Leaving Certificate year.

The inquest heard how there had originally been five people in the car which had crashed.

All five had been in Simpson’s Bar and restaurant in Carndonagh and were going home.

The driver, Ms Harkin, had been working in Simpsons and had volunteered to give her four friends a lift home to various places.

Witness Patrick McKinney, who had also been working in Simpson’s earlier, told the inquest how they left the bar at 12.15am.

A woman sat in the front seat alongside Ms Harkin and three other young men, including Mr McKinney sat in the back seats.

Mr McKinney told the inquest how he remembered nothing about the crash.

He said he had been asleep in the car and then he remembers knocking on a woman’s door looking for help.

He then said he remembered being on a main road, talking to people and waiting on an ambulance.

Mr McKinney, the sole survivor of the crash, was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital where he was treated for broken bones, fractured ribs and a bruised lung and had to be put in a back brace for six months.

The inquest also heard from local man Brian McGonagle, who was first on the scene of the crash.

He told how he had been alerted by a phonecall from a neighbour whose door had been banged on and she thought it was an intruder.

He received another phonecall to say there had been a crash locally and he went to help.

When he arrived he flagged down another car with three young women and told them he thought there had been a crash.

One of the young women then saw the car and Mr McGonagle ran to the car and found Ms Harkin in the driver’s seat, whom he knew as his daughter had been best friends with her in school.

He said her face was covered in blood but he managed to get her out of the car and began CPR on her which lasted for about 20 minutes but there was no sign of life.

He went back to the car but could not see anyone but when he flashed his torch in he found another person lying in the stairwell of the back seat.

The young man, who turned out to be Thomas Gallagher, was taken out of the car and CPR was also commenced on the young man.

Gardai and other emergency services arrived on the scene but despite the best efforts of all present, both Alana and Thomas were pronounced dead at the scene.

Solicitor for the Harkin family, Mr Pat McMyler, asked Mr McGonagle if he was aware there had been a lot of deer in the area and this may have caused Ms Harkin to swerve and he agreed.

Mr McGonagle said he had personally seen a lot of deer on the road which and come down from the hills nearby.

Detective Sergeant Killian Callaghan gave evidence of being on duty and told of the area being sealed off before he identified the bodies to Garda Elaine Kavanagh at 4.39am who arranged for the deceased to be taken to the mortuary in Letterkenny.

Evidence read out on behalf of pathologist Gerry O’Dowd said there had been some injuries to Alana’s chest area but the most significant injury was a fracture of her skull and a brain injury which would not have been compatible with recovery.

He also found that there was a very low level of alcohol in her system and there were no drugs found in her system.

Dr O’Dowd also carried out a post mortem on Thomas Gallagher and this showed he had some injuries but that the primary injury was to the left template bone of his skull which caused a fracture and significant brain injuries.

Coroner Dr Denis McCauley addressed a concern by the Gallagher family, querying if anything could have been done for their son if he had been found earlier.

However, Dr McCauley said resuscitation would not have been possible and that Thomas died instantly as a result of the brain injury caused.

Garda Public Service Vehicle Inspector, Damian Mulkearns, told the inquest that he had examined the white Seat Ibiza involved in the tragedy.    

Having examined all aspects of the vehicle including brakes, tyres and steering, he said he was satisfied that the vehicle was in a serviceable pre accident condition.

He said the driver’s seatbelt had shown signs that it was in the clicked position and showed signs that it was worn on impact but he could not say if the back seatbelts were worn or not but were in the resting position.

Garda Forensic Collision Investigator Declan O’Connor said that on the night in question it had been wet and dark, there had been no street lighting and that the road on which the crash occurred was governed by an 80kph speed limit.

He said the car had lost control and gone into a weaving pattern, was under-braking before hitting a road sign, striking a verge becoming airborne, crossing over a small river and hitting a tree before coming to a rest in an upright position.

Garda O’Connor added that there was massive damage to the roof and the driver’s side of the vehicle.

He added he was unable to establish an exact driving speed but that as the car left the bank it was traveling at a speed of 70kph.

Solicitor Mr McMyler put it to Garda O’Connor that there was nothing to indicate excessive speed and this was agreed.

Mr McMyler also put it to the Garda that the presence of an animal could not be ruled out as ‘something’ had caused Ms Harkin to lose control of the car and this was also agreed.

Coroner Dr McCauley also described the road as “relatively straight” saying he knew it having cycled it many times.

He added that it was unclear why the car left the road and that her family have the view that there may have been an animal on the road.

Station officer at Moville Fire Station, Maurice Harkin, also told of attending the scene and overseeing diversion signs and lighting at the scene.

He said he liaised with other fire officers at the scene and witnessed two bodies already covered by blankets at the scene.

He remained with other officers at the scene and assisted before leaving at 5.14am.

In his findings, Dr McCauley said he agreed the cause of death in both cases was a severe head injury consistent with involvement in a road traffic incident.

The verdict returned in both cases was accidental death.

Coroner Dr McCauley thanked all those who helped at the scene describing the loss of both Alana and Thomas as a tragedy and offered his condolences to both families along with Garda Sergeant Jim Collins.

Both families hugged eachother as they left the courtroom.

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A man has pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Letterkenny and also to drug-dealing in the town.

Martin McCarthy, who is in custody at Castlerea Prison, was brought before Letterkenny Circuit Court.

The 36-year-old of Cashelshanaghan, Letterkenny, pleaded guilty to four charges when he was arraigned before Judge John Aylmer.

McCarthy tendered a guilty plea to a charge of violent disorder, relating to an incident at Lower Main Street, Letterkenny, on August 20, 2025. The charge is contrary to section 15 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994.

He also pleaded guilty to criminal damage, contrary to section 2 (1) of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991. McCarthy admitted that he did, without lawful excuse, damage the window of a vehicle belonging to a woman at Cashelshanaghan, Letterkenny, on September 11, 2023.

The accused man pleaded guilty to being in possession of a controlled drug, MDMA, for unlawful sale or supply at CYMS, Courtyard Way, Letterkenny, on May 5, 2022. The charge is contrary to section 15 and section 27 (as amended by section 6 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1984) of the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977.

McCarthy also admitted money laundering, a charge relating to various dates between September 2019 and December 2020. He is charged that he did engage in transferring property that was the proceeds of criminal conduct at Letterkenny Credit Union.

Mr Eugene Grant SC, barrister for McCarthy, instructed by solicitor Mr Conor Moylan, sought a probation report for McCarthy.

Mr Grant said that McCarthy has not been before the Circuit Court.

Judge Aylmer requested a probation report, to include an assessment as to McCarthy’s suitability for community service.

McCarthy was remanded in custody until the next session of Letterkenny Circuit Court in May.

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A man has pleaded guilty to harassing a woman in County Donegal.

Jake O’Dwyer appeared before Letterkenny Circuit Court, where he tendered his guilty plea.

O’Dwyer, of Ballyragget, Kilkenny, spoke only to plead guilty when formally arraigned before Judge John Aylmer.

The 31-year-old is charged with harassment contrary to section 10 (1) and (9) of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997, as substituted by section 23 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2023.

The charge relates to dates between November 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025 when he is charged that he did, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, persistently harass the woman by communicating by text messages, WhatsApp and phone calls, causing distress to the woman.

The court heard that O’Dwyer also faces other charges, which his barrister, Mr Peter Nolan BL, said were “all part of the same situation”.

Mr Nolan told the court that an up to date probation report has been received on O’Dwyer.

The case was adjourned until the next term of Letterkenny Circuit Court.

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A man whose car was scraped with a key by another man told the court that he had entered Lidl in Bundoran and exited a few minutes later to find the offence being committed.

He has not yet received any compensation. The defendant was told that he will face jail if €2,500 is not paid in full by September.

John Foley, 60 of First Sea Road, Strandhill Road, Sligo was before a special sitting of Ballyshannon District Court on Wednesday, February 18.

Foley admitted damaging a 181-registered silver Mercedes Benz at Lidl Car Park, Bundoran on November 26, 2024. The offence is contrary to Section 2(1) of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991.

Inspector Dermot Treacy told the court that the injured party parked his vehicle in the Lidl car park.

“He exited the shop and observed an individual keying his car,” said the inspector. “The defendant went into the shop and the injured party followed him into the store.

“There was CCTV footage which led to the identity of Mr Foley.”

Photos of the damage were handed in to court.

Judge Michael Connellan asked if there was any history between the men.

The inspector replied: “No. There was an altercation in the car park but it did not involve the injured party whatsoever.”

Inspector Treacy said the cost of repairing the damage had been assessed at €4,692.73.

Judge Connellan invited the injured party to make a statement.

The car owner outlined that he had observed an altercation between two motorists, one of whom was entering the car park and another who was leaving.

“I exited my car and entered the shop,” said the injured party. “I came out of the shop in two or three minutes. I observed the person who had been trying to enter the car park scratching my car. When he noticed me, he tried to go into the shop and disappear.

“I asked him why he done it. He didn’t answer anything and was trying to avoid me. Then he ran out from the shop and sat in his car. I stood right behind his car and he started to exit. By doing that, he was pushing me with his car and observing that I was not capable of doing anything else, I let him go and he left.”

The injured party drove to Ballyshannon Garda Station, from where he was directed to Bundoran Garda Station where arrangements were made for a statement to be taken.

When asked by Judge Connellan if he had been compensated or received any insurance payout, the injured party replied: “I did not receive any compensation. My insurer told me that it was done by human hand, not in a road accident and so they have nothing to do with it.”

He explained that the car had been repaired by a friend who works at painting cars, and he had paid the friend €2,000 while awaiting the court decision.

Solicitor Gerry McGovern questioned the injured party’s parking position at the time.

“You parked your car right across the other cars and caused a difficulty for people getting in and out,” said the solicitor. “You abandoned your car there and went into the shop.”

The injured party denied causing any obstruction, saying: “I was not in the way of any traffic with my car.”

Inspector Treacy said that the injured party’s parking position in no way justified what had happened.

Judge Connellan agreed.

Mr McGovern said he accepted that, and reminded the court that his defendant had entered a guilty plea.

He outlined that his client had suffered a significant tragedy and had never recovered. A former businessman and notable employer in the Sligo area, he had ended up unemployed following the tragedy, despite having worked hard at his businesses, the solicitor continued.

He had previous convictions which McGovern said reflected the actions of ‘a man who was not in his right mind.’

“He doesn’t control his anxiety and stress in a good way,” said the solicitor. He took it upon himself to do a horrible thing, to scrape that man’s car. For what reason I do not know.

“I think he still needs help. The man that I knew years ago was always a very respectable man, did things for people, was involved in various clubs in Sligo.”

Judge Connellan pointed out that it was 15 months since the offence was committed and no compensation had been paid.

Mr McGovern said: “Financially he is in very poor circumstances.

The judge ordered that €2,500 be paid to the injured party if the defendant was to avoid prison.

“I accept that he had a troubled life but the injured party had nothing to do with what happened,” said Judge Connellan. “He was an innocent bystander. He has fixed his car and is now trying to sell it.

“I can see that the defendant has issues, stress issues and anger issues.”

Foley was remanded on bail to Ballyshannon District Court on September 9 for the payment of compensation. If €2,500 is paid in full by that time, a prison sentence of four months will be fully suspended for 12 months on condition that Foley keeps the peace and is of good behaviour.

If it is not paid, the defendant will be jailed for five months.

“His destiny is in his hands,” said Judge Connellan. “He will get a suspended sentence if he pays the €2,500. He will face prison if he doesn’t.”

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A Manorcunningham man has admitted causing over €10,000 worth of damage when he smashed 17 TVs in a Letterkenny bookmakers.

Gerard Meehan appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court to affirm a guilty plea that was entered in the District Court.

When asked by the court registrar if he was affirming the plea, Meehan spoke only to say: “Yeah”.

The 28-year-old pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal damage, relating to an incident on July 14, 2023 at BoyleSports, Glencar, Letterkenny.

Meehan, of Lisclamerty, Manorcunningham is charged with unlawfully damaging property, namely 17 LG TVs, belonging to BoyleSports.

Mr Peter Nolan BL, barrister for Meehan, sought the preparation of a probation and welfare report for his client. Mr Nolan said that a psychiatric report may be necessary in the case.

Judge Aylmer extended legal aid to cover such reports as will be necessary.

The matter was adjourned to a later sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court.

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A coked-up man who punched a woman in the face leaving her needing a permanent plate and screws inserted in her jaw has been jailed for 20 months.

The post Man who left woman with metal plate in face after coke attack is jailed appeared first on Donegal Daily.