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. 18406Assault; criminal damage; producing an article capable of inflicting serious injury · Co. Donegal · 22 May 2019

Burnfoot father and son acquitted of hurley attack on three men

On 22 May 2019 at Dundrain, Burnfoot, Co Donegal, Shaun Arbuckle, 46, and Shane Arbuckle, 27, were charged over an alleged hurley attack on three young men, Martin Harkin, 18, Sean Fisher and Leon McDaid. The charges were heard in a five-day trial at Letterkenny Circuit Court. On 5 February 2024 the jury returned not guilty verdicts on all charges against both men. At least two of the alleged victims have started personal injury claims against the Arbuckles for up to €60,000.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Acquitted5 Feb
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
When
The incident took place on 22 May 2019.
Where
The incident took place at Dundrain, Burnfoot, Co Donegal.
Cause
The Arbuckles suspected the three men of attacking the home of their elderly parents.
What happened
  • Patrick Arbuckle's front window was smashed and a large stone was found on the street.
  • The three young men said Shane Arbuckle jumped onto the bonnet of their car and smashed the windscreen with a hurley.
  • Sean Fisher was allegedly hit with a hurley stick and the car radio was damaged.
Other details
  • The alleged victims were Martin Harkin, 18, Sean Fisher and Leon McDaid; the suspects were Shaun Arbuckle, 46, and Shane Arbuckle, 27.
  • At least two of the alleged victims have started personal injury claims against the Arbuckles for up to €60,000.
Charges
  • Shaun Arbuckle was charged with assaulting Sean Fisher, criminal damage to a Volkswagen Jetta, and producing a hurley capable of inflicting serious injury.
  • Shane Arbuckle was charged with criminal damage to a Volkswagen Jetta and producing a hurley capable of inflicting serious injury.
In court
  • The trial at Letterkenny Circuit Court before Judge John Aylmer lasted five days.
  • The jury of seven men and five women took just over an hour, or almost an hour and a half according to differing reports, to reach its verdicts.
  • Both men were found not guilty of all charges, reported on 5 February 2024.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatPatrick Arbuckle's front window was smashed and a large stone was found on the street. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatThe three young men said Shane Arbuckle jumped onto the bonnet of their car and smashed the windscreen with a hurley. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatSean Fisher was allegedly hit with a hurley stick and the car radio was damaged. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe incident took place at Dundrain, Burnfoot, Co Donegal. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe incident took place on 22 May 2019. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeShaun Arbuckle was charged with assaulting Sean Fisher. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeShaun Arbuckle was charged with criminal damage to a Volkswagen Jetta. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeShaun Arbuckle was charged with producing a hurley capable of inflicting serious injury. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeShane Arbuckle was charged with criminal damage to a Volkswagen Jetta and with producing a hurley capable of inflicting serious injury. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe trial at Letterkenny Circuit Court lasted five days. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe two men were found not guilty of all charges. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe jury took just over an hour to reach its verdicts. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe jury of seven men and five women returned not guilty verdicts on all counts for each man after almost an hour and a half of deliberations. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherAt least two of the alleged victims have started personal injury claims against the Arbuckles for up to €60,000. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 5 Feb2024
    Acquitteddonegallive.ie, first report
    Burnfoot father and son acquitted of alleged hurley attack on three men

    Reports the verdict at the end of the trial of the Arbuckles. Confirms the charges, the trial length, the jury's deliberation time and that the men were acquitted of all counts. Also reports that at least two of the alleged victims have started personal injury claims.

    accused, Shaun Arbuckle, 46, male, named, irish (judged from name)Shaun Arbuckleaccused, Shane Arbuckle, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Shane Arbucklevictim, Martin Harkin, 18, male, irish (judged from name)Martin Harkinvictim, Sean Fisher, male, irish (judged from name)Sean Fishervictim, Leon McDaid, male, irish (judged from name)Leon McDaid