Ireland Additional charges for accused in Carrigaholt Post Office robbery
On January 21st, cash, coins and a cheque worth €8,944.63 were taken from An Post Carrigaholt, The Square, Carrigaholt, County Clare, and the post-mistress was assaulted with iron bars. The victim is named as Maura McKiernan, and gardaí believe four accused, including Mr Downes, Michael McMahon, 38, Darragh Pender, 30, and Darren Cassidy, 38, were part of a joint enterprise. Mr Downes has been on remand in custody at Limerick prison since January 23rd, and Mr McMahon was further remanded in custody for the serving of a Book of Evidence. Darragh Pender and Darren Cassidy have signed guilty pleas to the robbery charge, to go forward to the circuit court, and Judge Adrian Harris most recently further remanded Mr Downes in custody, with consent to bail, to appear at Ennis District Court on July 1st.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court26 Jun
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Cash, coins and a cheque worth €8,944.63 were taken.
- Where
- The robbery was at An Post Carrigaholt, The Square, Carrigaholt, County Clare.
- When
- The robbery took place on January 21st.
- Weapon
- The post-mistress was assaulted with iron bars.
- Investigation
- Gardaí believe the four accused were part of a four-person joint enterprise.
- Other details
- The gang is alleged to have included two getaway drivers and two men who entered the premises.
- It was reported in court that Mr Downes had been assaulted while in prison.
- Charges
- Mr Downes was charged at Ennis Courthouse and made no reply after caution, according to Det Garda Deirdre Collins of Kilrush Garda Station.
- New charges against Mr Downes will track the robbery charge in the Book of Evidence.
- Reports differ on dangerous driving: the Clare Echo summary refers to a further charge against Mr Downes, while the case facts say Mr Pender faces dangerous driving charges arising from the same date.
- In court
- Mr Downes has been on remand in custody at Limerick prison since January 23rd.
- Darragh Pender and Darren Cassidy have signed pleas of guilty to the robbery charge, to go forward to the circuit court.
- Judge Adrian Harris further remanded Mr McMahon in custody for the serving of a Book of Evidence.
- Judge Adrian Harris further remanded Mr Downes in custody, with consent to bail, to appear at Ennis District Court on July 1st.
15 statements extracted from the articles
- whatCash, coins and a cheque worth €8,944.63 were taken. (clareecho.ie)
- whereThe robbery was at An Post Carrigaholt, The Square, Carrigaholt. (clareecho.ie)
- whenThe robbery took place on January 21st. (clareecho.ie)
- weaponThe post-mistress was assaulted with iron bars. (clareecho.ie)
- investigationGardaí believe the four accused were part of a four-person joint enterprise. (clareecho.ie)
- chargeMr Downes was charged at Ennis Courthouse. (clareecho.ie)
- chargeMr Downes made no reply after caution. (clareecho.ie)
- chargeMr Pender faces dangerous driving charges arising from the same date. (clareecho.ie)
- chargeThe new charges against Mr Downes will track the robbery charge in the Book of Evidence. (clareecho.ie)
- courtMr Downes has been on remand in custody at Limerick prison since January 23rd. (clareecho.ie)
- courtDarragh Pender and Darren Cassidy have signed pleas of guilty to the robbery charge, to go forward to the circuit court. (clareecho.ie)
- courtJudge Adrian Harris further remanded Mr Downes in custody, with consent to bail, to appear at Ennis District Court on July 1st. (clareecho.ie)
- courtJudge Harris further remanded Mr McMahon in custody for the serving of a Book of Evidence. (clareecho.ie)
- otherThe gang allegedly involved two getaway drivers and two men who entered the premises. (clareecho.ie)
- otherMr Downes was assaulted while in prison. (clareecho.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 26 Jun2026Second Carrigaholt Post Office robbery accused faces additional charges of dangerous driving - Clare Echo
Court report on the Carrigaholt post office robbery: a further charge is reported against Mr Downes, Mr Pender faces dangerous driving charges, two co-accused have pleaded guilty to robbery, and Mr Downes and Mr McMahon remain in custody.
accused, Mr Downes, male, named, irish (judged from name)Mr Downesaccused, Michael McMahon, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael McMahonaccused, Darragh Pender, 30, named, irish (judged from name)Darragh Penderaccused, Darren Cassidy, 38, named, irish (judged from name)Darren Cassidyvictim, Maura McKiernan, female, irish (judged from name)Maura McKiernan