Ireland 77-year-old Carndonagh man avoids conviction under Probation Act for disorderly conduct
In the early hours of 4 July 2025, gardaí were called to Bridge Street, Carndonagh, County Donegal, after neighbours complained about loud music from the apartment of Daniel Doherty, a 77-year-old man. Doherty was arrested and spent five and a half hours in custody, then was issued a Fixed Charge Penalty Notice, which was not paid, so the matter went before Carndonagh District Court, sitting in Buncrana. Doherty pleaded guilty to being disorderly in a public place under Section 5 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, and the judge applied the Probation Act so no conviction was recorded, as reported on 22 June 2026.
- Reported
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- Cause
- Doherty played loud music from his apartment after neighbours complained.
- Where
- Gardaí were called to Bridge Street, Carndonagh, County Donegal.
- When
- The incident happened in the early hours of 4 July 2025.
- What happened
- Doherty turned the music down when asked, then came out into the car park and was abusive towards gardaí.
- Other details
- The prosecution said Doherty was intoxicated and unsteady on his feet, while the defence said he denied being intoxicated.
- The judge said the decision was based on no previous convictions and no State objection, not on age.
- Doherty had no previous convictions.
- Investigation
- Doherty was arrested and spent five and a half hours in custody.
- He was issued a Fixed Charge Penalty Notice carrying a €120 fine, rising to €180 if not paid in time.
- In court
- The fine was not paid and the matter went before Carndonagh District Court, sitting in Buncrana.
- The prosecution did not oppose an application for the Probation Act.
- Charges
- Doherty pleaded guilty to being disorderly in a public place under Section 5 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act.
- Sentence
- The judge applied the Probation Act and marked the matter as facts proven, so Doherty has no criminal conviction.
16 statements extracted from the articles
- whatDoherty turned the music down when asked but then came out into the car park and became abusive towards gardaí. (donegallive.ie)
- whatThe prosecution said Doherty was intoxicated and unsteady on his feet. (donegallive.ie)
- whereGardaí were called to Bridge Street, Carndonagh. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe incident happened in the early hours of 4 July 2025. (donegallive.ie)
- causeDoherty played loud music from his apartment after neighbours complained. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationDoherty was arrested and later issued with a Fixed Charge Penalty Notice. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeDoherty pleaded guilty to being disorderly in a public place under Section 5 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe fine was not paid and the matter went before the court. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Carndonagh District Court, sitting in Buncrana. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe prosecution did not oppose the application for the Probation Act. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceThe judge marked the matter as facts proven and applied the Probation Act, so Doherty has no criminal conviction. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe defence said Doherty denied being intoxicated. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe penalty notice carried a €120 fine, rising to €180 if not paid in time. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe judge said age alone was not the reason; the decision was based on no previous convictions and no State objection. (donegallive.ie)
- otherDoherty was 77 years old and had no previous convictions. (donegallive.ie)
- otherDoherty spent five and a half hours in custody after his arrest. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 22 Jun2026Donegal pensioner (77) played loud music at 2am and became verbally abusive to gardai
Court report on the outcome: guilty plea to a Section 5 public order charge, with the Probation Act applied and no conviction recorded. The article also gives the 77-year-old's age, his lack of previous convictions and five and a half hours in custody.
accused, Daniel Doherty, 77, male, named, irish (judged from name)Daniel Doherty