Sunday 1 November 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. 23484Discharging a firearm; assault causing harm · Co. Donegal · 27 Aug 2018

Donegal man jailed for 18 months after shooting nephew in land dispute

Anthony Mulhern, 69, of Donegal Town, was sentenced to 18 months in prison at Donegal Circuit Court after pleading guilty to discharging a firearm and assault causing harm for shooting his nephew Gary Mulhern in the arm during a land dispute in August 2018.

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

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
32 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatAnthony Mulhern shot his nephew Gary Mulhern in the left forearm with a double-barrelled shotgun. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatThe dispute centred on 55 acres of land. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatTwo shots were fired from a distance of 15 to 20 yards. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatThe victim had pellet shots removed from under his skin in hospital. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatAnthony Mulhern had paid €40,000 in civil compensation to his nephew. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatAnthony Mulhern had paid €15,000 for his nephew to walk away from the rented lands. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatAnthony Mulhern had no previous convictions. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatThe victim chose not to put in a victim impact statement. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatAnthony Mulhern shot his nephew Gary Mulhern in the arm during a row over land. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe victim was treated for a gunshot wound in hospital. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe shooting took place at the entrance to a field in Donegal Town. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe incident took place at the entrance to a field in Donegal Town. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe incident occurred on 27 August 2018. (donegallive.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • causeA long-running dispute over 55 acres of land was at the heart of the incident. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponThe weapon used was a double-barrelled shotgun. (donegallive.ie)
  • weaponA double-barrelled shotgun was used. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationAnthony Mulhern was questioned under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act at Ballyshannon Garda Station. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationMulhern was arrested and taken to Ballyshannon Garda station where he was questioned under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeAnthony Mulhern pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm under the Firearms Act. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeAnthony Mulhern pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeMulhern pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm under the Firearms Act and assault causing harm. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was heard at Donegal Circuit Court before Judge John Aylmer. (donegallive.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe pre-mitigation sentences were six years for reckless discharge of a firearm and four years for assault. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentences were reduced to four years and two years eight months running concurrently. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceThe final two and a half years of the firearm sentence and 14 months of the assault sentence were suspended, resulting in 18 months in prison. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceThe court ordered the shotgun used in the incident to be destroyed. (donegallive.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • sentencePre-mitigation sentences were six years for reckless discharge of a firearm and four years for assault. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceJudge Aylmer reduced the sentences to four years and two years and eight months to run concurrently, then suspended portions to result in 18 months in prison. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherAnthony Mulhern was a mechanic who had previously worked as an electrician with the ESB. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherMulhern had paid his nephew €40,000 in a civil action and a further €15,000 for the nephew to walk away from the rented lands. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMulhern had no previous convictions. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe victim chose not to submit a victim impact statement. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 21 Dec2022
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, its first report
    Co Donegal man who shot nephew in land dispute jailed for 18 months

    Sentencing report: Anthony Mulhern received 18 months after Judge Aylmer reduced pre-mitigation sentences of six years and four years, taking into account his guilty plea, no previous convictions, financial compensation to the victim, health issues and low reoffending risk. The shotgun was ordered destroyed.

    convicted, Anthony Mulhern, 69, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Mulhernvictim, Gary Mulhern, 30s, male, irish (judged from name)Gary Mulhern
  2. 21 Dec2022
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Donegal man jailed for shooting nephew in land row

    Sentencing report: Anthony Mulhern received 18 months after the judge reduced pre-mitigation sentences of six years and four years, suspended part of both, and ordered the shotgun destroyed.

    convicted, Anthony Mulhern, 69, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Mulhernvictim, Gary Mulhern, 30s, male, irish (judged from name)Gary Mulhern