Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 9568Public order offence · Co. Donegal · 1 May 2026

Buncrana man avoids conviction after refusing to leave ex-wife's property

At about 7.07am on 1 May 2026, gardaí received a complaint that James Bradley, a 63-year-old man of Shandrum, Buncrana, was refusing to leave land belonging to his ex-wife at Shandrum, Drumfries, Co Donegal. After gardaí directed him under Section 13 of the Public Order Act to leave and he did not comply, he was arrested and charged with failing, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, to comply with a garda direction. He pleaded guilty at Buncrana District Court to an offence under Section 13, and Judge Emile Daly applied the Probation Act after he gave a sworn undertaking not to repeat the conduct. The latest development is that no conviction was recorded.

  1. Reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
James Bradley, a 63-year-old man of Shandrum, Buncrana, caused a disturbance and refused to leave his ex-wife's property.
Where
The incident took place at Shandrum, Drumfries, Co Donegal.
When
  • The incident occurred at about 7.07am on 1 May 2026.
  • The court report is dated 15 May 2026 in the article metadata and 18 May 2026 in the article text.
Cause
Gardaí received a complaint that Mr Bradley was refusing to leave land belonging to his ex-wife.
Investigation
  • Gardaí directed Mr Bradley under Section 13 of the Public Order Act to leave the property, and he did not comply.
  • Mr Bradley was arrested after he continued to refuse to leave.
Charges
Mr Bradley was charged with failing, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, to comply with a direction given by a garda.
In court
Mr Bradley pleaded guilty at Buncrana District Court to an offence under Section 13 of the Public Order Act.
Sentence
  • Mr Bradley gave a sworn undertaking not to repeat the conduct.
  • Judge Emile Daly applied the Probation Act, so no conviction was recorded.
Other details
  • Mr Bradley has no previous convictions.
  • Mr Bradley apologised to gardaí for his actions.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe incident took place at Shandrum, Drumfries. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred at about 7.07am on 1 May 2026. (donegallive.ie)
  • causeGardaí received a complaint that Mr Bradley was refusing to leave land belonging to his ex-wife. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí formally directed Mr Bradley to leave the property under Section 13 of the Public Order Act, and he did not comply. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationMr Bradley was arrested and charged after he continued to refuse to leave. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeMr Bradley was charged with failing, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, to comply with a garda direction. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtMr Bradley pleaded guilty at Buncrana District Court to an offence under Section 13 of the Public Order Act. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceMr Bradley gave a sworn undertaking not to repeat the conduct. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Emile Daly applied the Probation Act, so no conviction was recorded. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherMr Bradley has no previous convictions. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherMr Bradley apologised to gardaí for his actions. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 May2026
    Otherdonegallive.ie, first report
    Buncrana man (63) brought to court after failing to leave his ex-wife’s property

    Court outcome: the Probation Act was applied, so no conviction was recorded. The article gives the incident time and location, the charge wording, the defence's account of the background, and the undertaking.

    accused, James Bradley, 63, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Bradley