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. 10607Harassment · Co. Donegal

Donegal man pleads guilty to harassing woman with more than 1,000 messages

Matthew Smyth, of Dunross, Culdaff, County Donegal, sent a young woman more than 1,000 texts, videos and messages over the course of 2020. When she ignored them, he named her publicly on Facebook, saying he used to like her but now hated her. Smyth was charged with harassment and pleaded guilty at Letterkenny District Court, as reported on 6 March 2026. The judge adjourned the case until September for a probation report and sentencing.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court6 Mar
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Matthew Smyth pleaded guilty to harassing a young woman.
  • Smyth sent the woman more than 1,000 texts, videos and messages.
  • After the woman ignored the messages, Smyth named her publicly on Facebook.
  • In the Facebook message, Smyth said he used to like the woman but now hated her.
When
  • The messages were sent over the course of 2020.
  • The case was reported on 6 March 2026.
Where
  • Smyth is of Dunross, Culdaff, County Donegal.
  • The case was heard at Letterkenny District Court.
Investigation
Garda Tómas McMahon told the court about the messages.
Charges
Smyth has been charged with harassment.
In court
The judge adjourned the case until September for a probation report and sentencing.
Other details
The victim is described as a young woman.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMatthew Smyth pleaded guilty to harassing the woman. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatSmyth sent the woman more than 1,000 messages. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatSmyth named the woman publicly on Facebook. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatSmyth's Facebook message said he used to like the woman but now hated her. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereSmyth is of Dunross, Culdaff. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe text messages began in January 2020. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe last message was sent on 12 December 2020. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationThe messages stopped when gardaí became involved. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeSmyth has been charged with harassment. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe judge adjourned the case until September for a probation report and sentencing. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe woman never engaged with Smyth online. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherA victim impact statement was offered but the woman did not provide one. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherSmyth has three previous convictions, which centred on producing an article during a dispute on the family farm. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 6 Mar2026
    In courtdonegallive.ie, first report
    Donegal man bombarded woman with 1000 messages in court on harassment charge

    First report of this case. Adds the guilty plea, the Facebook post naming the woman, the Garda evidence on the messages, and the September adjournment for sentencing.

    accused, Matthew Smyth, 29, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Smythvictim, female