Friday 30 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. 14009Coercive control · Co. Donegal

Donegal man jailed for coercive control of partner

A man in his 20s coercively controlled his female partner in Donegal between January 2019 and September 2022, including threats to harm himself and her and a threat to kill her new boyfriend. He was charged with criminal damage by discharging a firearm at a road sign at Meenalennaghan, Glenties, possessing a pistol without a firearms certificate, and dangerous driving and driving without insurance after attempting to flee gardaí. He pleaded guilty at Letterkenny District Court and was sentenced to 10 months for coercive control and a consecutive 10 months for the threat to kill, with a six-year driving ban and a total fine of €500. The latest development is the sentencing reported by DonegalLive on 10 April 2025.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced9 Apr
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A man in his 20s coercively controlled his female partner for a period of over three years.
  • He did not allow the woman to meet any family without him.
  • He made threats to harm himself and the woman, and told her he would blow the head off her new boyfriend.
When
The coercive control took place between January 2019 and September 2022.
Where
The case was heard at Letterkenny District Court in County Donegal.
Weapon
The woman saw an object she believed was a weapon when the man lifted his top.
Charges
  • He was charged with criminal damage to a road sign at Meenalennaghan, Glenties, by discharging a firearm; reports say he was found to have shot bullets at the sign.
  • He was charged with possessing a pistol without a firearms certificate.
  • He was charged with dangerous driving and driving without insurance after attempting to flee gardaí.
In court
  • He is already serving a prison sentence for other matters.
  • He pleaded guilty, and his solicitor said he had taken full responsibility.
  • He cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim.
Sentence
  • He was sentenced to 10 months in jail for coercive control.
  • He was sentenced to a further 10 months for a threat to kill, to run consecutively because he was on bail.
  • He was disqualified from driving for six years and fined a total of €500, with other charges taken into consideration.
  • The sentence was back-dated to when he went into custody.
18 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe man coercively controlled the woman for a period of over three years. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatThe man did not allow the woman to meet any family without him. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatThe man made threats to harm himself and the woman. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatThe man told the woman he would blow the head off her new boyfriend. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe case was heard at Letterkenny District Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe coercive control took place between January 2019 and September 2022. (donegallive.ie)
  • weaponThe woman saw an object she believed was a weapon when the man lifted his top. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe man was charged with criminal damage to a road sign at Meenalennaghan, Glenties, by discharging a firearm. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe man was charged with possessing a pistol without a firearms certificate. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe man was charged with dangerous driving and driving without insurance after attempting to flee gardaí. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe man is already serving a prison sentence for other matters. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe man pleaded guilty and his solicitor said he had taken full responsibility. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe defendant cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceThe man was sentenced to 10 months in jail for the coercive control charge. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceThe man was sentenced to a further 10 months for a threat to kill, to run consecutively because he was on bail. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceThe man was disqualified from driving for six years. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceThe man was fined a total of €500, and other charges were taken into consideration. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentence was back-dated to when the man went into custody. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 9 Apr2025
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Donegal man jailed for coercive control

    Reports the sentencing of a man for coercive control of his partner, a threat to kill, and firearms and road traffic charges, with sentences and disqualifications.

    convicted, 20s, malevictim, female