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. 11297Threatening with a knife and weapons possession · Co. Donegal · 22 Feb 2025

Buncrana man jailed over knife threat on young man

On 22 February 2025 a man put a young man in a headlock and threatened him with a knife on Upper Main Street, Buncrana, County Donegal, and no injuries were sustained. The suspect is James McMenamin, a 44-year-old father-of-four from Buncrana, who was arrested by gardaí after he tried to run from them, and a folding lock knife was later found on him at the garda station. On 28 January 2026 he pleaded guilty at Buncrana District Court to five charges, including brandishing a weapon in a threatening manner and possession of a weapon, and was sentenced to prison. The defence has served notice of appeal, so the prison sentence is temporarily stayed.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced28 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A man put a young man in a headlock and threatened him with a knife.
Where
The incident took place on Upper Main Street, Buncrana, County Donegal.
When
The incident was reported late on 22 February 2025.
Cause
The injured party said the man with the knife was highly intoxicated.
Weapon
A folding lock knife with a 7-centimetre blade was found on him during a search at the garda station.
Investigation
Gardaí saw a man matching the description, approached him, and arrested him after he tried to run and was handcuffed.
Charges
  • He pleaded guilty to two weapons charges, including brandishing a weapon in a threatening manner and possession of a weapon.
  • He also admitted criminal damage, threatening and abusive behaviour, and public drunkenness.
In court
He admitted five charges at Buncrana District Court, and Judge Emile Daly described the incident as frightening and very serious.
Sentence
  • The sources say he received four months on the Section 9 possession of a weapon charge, concurrent, and six months on the Section 11 firearms charge with the final two months suspended.
  • No fine was imposed for criminal damage because the cost of the damage had been repaid.
Other details
  • No injuries were sustained and the knife was not used during the incident.
  • While in custody he tore a mattress in his cell, causing more than €300 in damage.
  • The defence served notice of appeal, so the prison sentence is temporarily stayed.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man put a young man in a headlock and threatened him with a knife. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe incident took place on Upper Main Street, Buncrana. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe incident was reported late on 22 February 2025. (donegallive.ie)
  • causeThe injured party said the man with the knife was highly intoxicated. (donegallive.ie)
  • weaponA folding lock knife with a 7-centimetre blade was found on him during a search at the garda station. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí saw a man matching the description and approached him. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationThe man tried to run from gardaí and was arrested and handcuffed. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHe pleaded guilty to two weapons charges, including brandishing a weapon in a threatening manner and possession of a weapon. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHe also admitted criminal damage, threatening and abusive behaviour, and public drunkenness. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtHe admitted five charges at Buncrana District Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtJudge Emile Daly described the incident as frightening and very serious. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceOn the Section 9 possession of a weapon charge he was imprisoned for four months, concurrent with the other sentence. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceOn the Section 11 firearms charge he received a six-month sentence with the final two months suspended. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceNo fine was imposed for criminal damage because the cost of the damage had been repaid. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherNo injuries were sustained and the knife was not used during the incident. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherWhile in custody he tore a mattress in his cell, causing more than €300 in damage. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe defence served notice of appeal, so the prison sentence is temporarily stayed. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 28 Jan2026
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Dad-of-four jailed for threatening a young man with a knife in ‘frightening’ attack

    Court sentencing report for a single case involving James McMenamin in Buncrana. No existing case in the list matches this incident.

    convicted, James McMenamin, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)James McMenaminvictim, male