Friday 30 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. 13766Threats to kill, criminal damage and assault causing harm · Co. Donegal

Buncrana man sent forward for trial over threats to kill and criminal damage

Francis McDonagh, a 27-year-old man of Earlsfort, Buncrana, County Donegal, faces charges of threats to kill, criminal damage and assault causing harm over incidents at Earlsfort between November 24 and December 1, 2024. The charges involve three people, a man and two women. In May 2025 he was brought from Castlerea Prison to Buncrana District Court, where the Director of Public Prosecutions consented to him being sent forward for trial and Judge Éiteáin Cunningham returned him for trial. Sources differ on the court he will go before, with one saying Letterkenny Circuit Court and another Letterkenny District Court. The latest development is that he has been returned for trial and remains in custody, and no trial or sentence has been reported.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court9 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Francis McDonagh, 27, of Earlsfort, Buncrana, has been sent forward for trial on charges including threats to kill, criminal damage and assault causing harm.
Where
The incidents took place at Earlsfort, Buncrana, County Donegal.
When
The incidents took place between November 24, 2024 and December 1, 2024.
Charges
  • He is charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to a man and to another woman.
  • He is charged with threatening to damage property in a way he knew was likely to endanger the life of a woman.
  • He is charged with assaulting a man and causing him harm.
  • He is charged with two counts of criminal damage, to windows and a vehicle body and to two windows of a house, on December 1, 2024.
Other details
  • The charges involve three people, a man and two women.
  • He is in custody at Castlerea Prison.
  • He was represented by solicitor Rory O'Brien, who was granted legal aid.
In court
  • He was brought to Buncrana District Court by prison officers, and the Director of Public Prosecutions consented to him being sent forward on the six charges.
  • Judge Éiteáin Cunningham returned him for trial and gave the alibi warning.
  • Sources differ on the court he will go before: one says Letterkenny Circuit Court and another says the next sitting of Letterkenny District Court.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man from Buncrana has been sent forward for trial on charges including threats to kill, criminal damage and assault causing harm. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe incident in that charge took place at Earlsfort, Buncrana, between November 24, 2024 and December 1, 2024. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with threatening to damage property in a way he knew was likely to endanger the life of a woman. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHe faces a charge of making a threat to kill or cause serious harm to a man. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHe is also charged with making a threat to kill or cause serious harm to another woman. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with assaulting a man and causing him harm. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with two counts of criminal damage, to windows and a vehicle body and to two windows of a house, at Earlsfort, Buncrana, on December 1, 2024. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe accused was brought to Buncrana District Court by prison officers. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe Director of Public Prosecutions consented to the accused being sent forward to the next sitting of Letterkenny District Court on the six charges. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtJudge Éiteáin Cunningham returned the accused for trial and gave the alibi warning. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe accused is 27 years old, of Earlsfort, Buncrana, and is in custody at Castlerea Prison. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe accused was represented by solicitor Rory O’Brien, who was granted legal aid. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 9 May2025
    In courtdonegallive.ie, first report
    Buncrana man faces trial over threats to kill and criminal damage

    First report on this case. Says McDonagh was sent forward for trial at Buncrana District Court, will go before Letterkenny Circuit Court, and is in custody at Castlerea Prison. Lists the six charges and the incident dates from November 24 to December 1, 2024 at Earlsfort, Buncrana.

    accused, Francis McDonagh, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Francis McDonaghvictim, femalevictim, malevictim, female