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. 10417Criminal damage · Co. Donegal

Criminal damage charge dismissed over Men's Shed door in Donegal

James Boyle, 81, of Cotteen, Derrybeg, was charged with criminal damage to exterior doors of the Men's Shed in an industrial estate in Gweedore, Co Donegal, on a date unknown between 1 and 2 January 2025. He denied the charge. At the March 2026 sitting of An Clochan Liath / Dungloe District Court, Judge Emile Daly said reasonable doubt had been shown and dismissed the charge. The dismissal, reported on 19 March 2026, is the latest development.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Acquitted19 Mar
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A criminal damage charge against James Boyle, 81, was dismissed.
Where
  • The alleged damage was to exterior doors of the Men's Shed in an industrial estate in Gweedore.
  • The case was heard at An Clochan Liath / Dungloe District Court at the March 2026 sitting.
When
The alleged damage occurred on a date unknown between 1 and 2 January 2025.
Cause
The prosecution said the damage was caused by tightly screwing a plaque into the door.
Investigation
The Men's Shed chairperson gave gardaí a steel plate that had been removed from the door.
Charges
Boyle denied causing criminal damage to the exterior doors and denied placing the plate on the door or telling gardaí that he had done so.
Other details
  • Damages were estimated at €50, the callout fee for removing the steel plate.
  • The court heard that no CCTV was available.
  • The judge said there was a background of a feud.
In court
  • Judge Emile Daly said reasonable doubt had been shown and dismissed the charge.
  • The judge said there was no proof of the damage and that the garda's evidence was a possibly inadmissible admission.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA criminal damage charge against a man was dismissed. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe case was heard at An Clochan Liath / Dungloe District Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe alleged damage was to exterior doors at the Men's Shed in an industrial estate in Gweedore. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe alleged damage happened on a date unknown between 1 and 2 January 2025. (donegallive.ie)
  • causeThe prosecution said the damage was caused by tightly screwing a plaque into the door. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationThe Men's Shed chairperson gave gardaí a steel plate that had been removed from the door. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeBoyle denied causing criminal damage to the exterior doors of the Men's Shed. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe judge said reasonable doubt had been shown and dismissed the charges. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherDamages were estimated at €50, the callout fee for removing the steel plate. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherBoyle denied placing the plate on the door and denied telling the garda he had done so. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe court heard there was no CCTV available. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe judge said there was no proof of the damage and that the garda's evidence was a possibly inadmissible admission. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe judge said there was a background of a feud. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 Mar2026
    Acquitteddonegallive.ie, first report
    Donegal judge dismisses charge of criminal damage as court hears of Men’s Shed feud

    Reports the dismissal of the criminal damage charge at Dungloe District Court in March 2026, after a hearing on the Men's Shed feud. The incident date is an unknown date between 1 and 2 January 2025.

    accused, James Boyle, 81, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Boyle