Ireland Donegal man avoids jail after chainsaw threat to gardaí
On April 16th, 2021, at 7.12am, Matthew Smyth, 27, waved a chainsaw and a broken fence post at gardaí during a domestic dispute at his family home in Culdaff, Co Donegal. Gardaí were called, and Smyth was arrested and later detained under Section 12 of the Mental Health Act and received treatment and assistance. He was subsequently charged with assaulting Christopher Smyth on April 16th, 2021, with an offence under Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990, and with a second offence involving a fencing post. On September 5th, 2023, at Letterkenny District Court, he was convicted under the Firearms Act and sentenced to 80 hours community service in lieu of three months in prison, with other charges taken into consideration.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced5 Sep
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Matthew Smyth, 27, a man, waved a chainsaw at gardaí and threatened them with a broken fence post during a stand-off.
- Where
- The incident happened at Smyth's family home in Culdaff, Co Donegal.
- When
- The incident happened at 7.12am on April 16th, 2021.
- Cause
- The incident followed a domestic dispute.
- Weapon
- Smyth waved a chainsaw at gardaí as they tried to gain entry to the property.
- Smyth also produced a broken fence post and threatened gardaí with it.
- Investigation
- Smyth was arrested and later detained under Section 12 of the Mental Health Act and received treatment and assistance.
- Charges
- Smyth was charged with assaulting Christopher Smyth on April 16th, 2021, contrary to Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.
- Smyth was charged with appearing about to commit an offence by having a chainsaw with motor and blades running, contrary to Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act of 1990, and with a second offence involving a fencing post.
- A charge of assaulting his father and threatening him with a broken pint glass was withdrawn by gardaí.
- In court
- The court was told Smyth has no previous convictions of any kind, and the solicitor said the threat against his father had been withdrawn and harmony restored in the home.
- Other details
- The judge said she had read two probation reports and noted good engagement, but called the matter serious.
- Sentence
- Smyth was convicted under the Firearms Act and sentenced to 80 hours community service in lieu of three months in prison, with all other charges taken into consideration.
15 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe incident happened at Smyth's family home in Culdaff, Co Donegal. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident happened at 7.12am on April 16th, 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeThe incident followed a domestic dispute. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponSmyth waved a chainsaw at gardaí as they tried to gain entry. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponSmyth also produced a broken fence post and threatened gardaí with it. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationSmyth was arrested and later detained under Section 12 of the Mental Health Act and received treatment and assistance. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeSmyth was charged with assaulting Christopher Smyth on April 16th, 2021, contrary to Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Persons Act, 1997. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeSmyth was charged with appearing about to commit an offence by having a chainsaw with motor and blades running, contrary to Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act of 1990. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeSmyth was charged with a second offence involving a fencing post. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeA charge of assaulting his father and threatening him with a broken pint glass was withdrawn by gardaí. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe court was told that Smyth has no previous convictions of any kind. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe solicitor said the threat against his father had been withdrawn and harmony restored in the home. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceSmyth was convicted under the Firearms Act and sentenced to 80 hours community service in lieu of three months in prison. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceAll other charges were taken into consideration. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe judge said she had read two probation reports and noted good engagement, but called the matter serious. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 5 Sep2023Donegal man who threatened gardai with chainsaw avoids jail
Court report on the sentencing at Letterkenny District Court: Smyth was convicted under the Firearms Act, received 80 hours community service in lieu of three months in prison, and other charges were taken into consideration. The article also reports the withdrawn charge, the solicitor's and judge's remarks, and the absence of previous convictions.
convicted, Matthew Smyth, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Smythvictim, Christopher Smyth, irish (judged from name)Christopher Smyth