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. 19260Arson · Co. Donegal · 21 Jan 2023

Donegal man jailed for arson attack on Garda car in Castlefin

On 21 January 2023, a man doused a Garda patrol car parked eight feet from Castlefin garda station in Donegal in petrol and set it alight, causing €17,500 in damage. Gary McGinley, 36, of Emmett Park, Castlefin, was identified by gardaí from CCTV and was on bail in District Court matters at the time. He pleaded guilty to arson, and at Letterkenny Circuit Court Judge John Aylmer called the attack 'an attack on the community'. A November 2023 report says he was jailed for three years, while the key facts state the final 12 months were suspended.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced3 Nov
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A man doused a Garda patrol car in petrol and set it alight at Castlefin garda station.
Where
The patrol car was parked eight feet from Castlefin garda station in Donegal.
When
The incident took place on 21 January 2023.
Other details
  • The suspect is Gary McGinley, 36, with an address at Emmett Park in Castlefin.
  • McGinley was on bail in relation to District Court matters at the time of the incident.
  • An off-duty garda put out the blaze with a fire extinguisher.
  • The damage caused was €17,500.
Investigation
Gardaí identified McGinley from CCTV footage.
Charges
McGinley was charged with arson.
In court
McGinley pleaded guilty to arson at Letterkenny Circuit Court, where Judge John Aylmer described the incident as an attack on the community.
Sentence
  • A report published on 3 November 2023 says McGinley was jailed for three years.
  • The key facts state the sentence was reduced to three years in prison, with the final 12 months suspended.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man set fire to a patrol car at Castlefin garda station. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe patrol car was parked just eight feet from Castlefin garda station. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe incident took place on January 21, 2023. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationMcGinley was identified by gardaí who viewed CCTV. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtMcGinley pleaded guilty to a charge of arson. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge reduced the sentence to three years in prison, with the final 12 months suspended. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe man doused the car in petrol before setting it alight. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe damage caused was €17,500. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherAn off-duty garda put out the blaze with a fire extinguisher. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherMcGinley was on bail at the time of the incident in relation to District Court matters. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Nov2023
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Donegal man jailed for burning Garda car

    Sentencing report from Letterkenny Circuit Court. Gives the sentence, the damage value, the CCTV identification and the judge's remarks on the offence.

    convicted, Gary McGinley, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gary McGinley