Saturday 31 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. 19405Aggravated burglary · Co. Donegal · 17 Nov 2018

Burglar who stabbed homeowner jailed in Letterkenny

On 17 November 2018 a burglar broke into the home of Joe and Sandra McGonagle at Cullion, Letterkenny, County Donegal, and tried to stab the homeowner, Mr McGonagle, with a penknife, though the Donegal Live article says he stabbed him. Fionn Ponsonby, 23, was arrested and taken to Letterkenny Garda station, and later pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary. On 21 October 2023 Judge John Aylmer at Letterkenny Circuit Court sentenced him after an unfavourable probation report, with the Donegal Live article reporting three years in prison and the key facts recording four years with the final 12 months suspended.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced21 Oct
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
An aggravated burglary took place at the home of Joe and Sandra McGonagle.
Where
The burglary took place at Cullion, Letterkenny, County Donegal.
When
The burglary took place on 17 November 2018.
Cause
The homeowner caught the burglar after the family dog began barking and he found a bedroom window open with a man crouching behind the bed.
Weapon
The burglar produced a penknife and tried to stab the homeowner in the arm; the Donegal Live article says he stabbed the homeowner.
Investigation
Fionn Ponsonby was arrested and taken to Letterkenny Garda station.
Charges
Fionn Ponsonby pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary.
In court
  • Sentencing took place at Letterkenny Circuit Court before Judge John Aylmer.
  • The probation report on Fionn Ponsonby was not favourable, and the judge said he had not engaged with the Probation Services.
Sentence
  • The key facts say Fionn Ponsonby was sentenced to four years in prison, with the final 12 months suspended on condition he engage with probation and abstain from alcohol and drugs.
  • The Donegal Live article reports that Fionn Ponsonby was sentenced to three years in prison.
Other details
  • The Donegal Live article says Fionn Ponsonby had a clean record before the offence.
  • The Donegal Live article about the sentence was published on 21 October 2023.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe burglary took place at the home of Joe and Sandra McGonagle at Cullion, Letterkenny. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe burglary took place on 17 November 2018. (donegallive.ie)
  • causeThe homeowner caught the burglar after the family dog began barking and he found a bedroom window open with a man crouching behind the bed. (donegallive.ie)
  • weaponThe burglar produced a penknife and tried to stab the homeowner in the arm. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationPonsonby was arrested and taken to Letterkenny Garda station. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtPonsonby pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe sentencing was at Letterkenny Circuit Court before Judge John Aylmer. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentencePonsonby was sentenced to four years in prison, with the final 12 months suspended on condition he engage with probation and abstain from alcohol and drugs. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe probation report on Ponsonby was not favourable. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe judge said Ponsonby had not engaged with the Probation Services. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 21 Oct2023
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Burglar who stabbed homeowner is jailed

    Reports the sentence, the guilty plea, the court evidence of the stabbing attempt and arrest, and the probation report.

    convicted, Fionn Ponsonby, 23, male, named, irish (judged from name)Fionn Ponsonbyvictim, Mr McGonagle, irish (judged from name)Mr McGonagle