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. 21168Endangerment, possession of an article with intent, assault causing harm, threat to kill · Co. Louth · 22 Dec 2017

Dundalk court: Man jailed over ramming, chainsaw and threats

On 22 December 2017, a 43-year-old man from Cornamucklagh, Omeath, Conor McLoughlin, rammed another man's car out of the car park of Howe's Bar, Knocknagoran, onto a main road in north Louth. He later returned to the pub in a different car with a chainsaw, and in August 2018 assaulted another young man outside that man's home in Omeath. He pleaded guilty in February to endangerment and to possessing an article with intent to cause injury or intimidate, and was remanded in custody to 4 May for finalisation. On 10 May, at Dundalk Circuit Court, he was sentenced for endangerment, possession of an article with intent, assault causing harm and making a threat to kill or cause serious harm, with reports giving different sentence terms.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted3 May
  6. Sentenced10 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A 43-year-old man from Cornamucklagh, Omeath, Conor McLoughlin, rammed another man's car out of the car park of Howe's Bar onto a main road in north Louth.
  • He later returned to the pub in a different car, produced a chainsaw, and others retreated inside.
  • He told a witness to the chainsaw incident that he would have him shot if the witness did not withdraw a garda statement.
  • In August 2018 he assaulted another young man outside that man's home in Omeath, repeatedly kicking him on the ground.
Where
The ramming happened from the car park of Howe's Bar, Knocknagoran, Omeath.
When
The ramming happened on 22 December 2017.
Cause
The victim's car was rammed from behind and pushed from the car park entrance onto the main road.
Other details
  • The ramming caused over €4,000 in damage to the victim's vehicle.
  • The victim said in his victim impact report that he is terrified of the defendant.
  • The judge noted the defendant had 30 previous convictions, had expressed remorse, had apologised to the victims, had been drug-free for the best part of two years, and had engaged with AA and NA in custody.
Weapon
The defendant was seen outside the pub carrying a chainsaw, and the defence said there was no chain on the saw at the time.
Charges
  • He pleaded guilty in February to endangerment and to possessing an article with intent to cause injury or intimidate.
  • He was sentenced for endangerment, possessing an article with intent, assault causing harm and making a threat to kill or cause serious harm.
In court
The case was heard at Dundalk Circuit Court, where the judge remanded him in custody to 4 May for finalisation.
Sentence
  • One report says he was jailed for three years, while another says the judge imposed sentences totalling five years with the final two years suspended.
  • He was given a four-year driving ban for driving uninsured.
27 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe defendant rammed another man's car onto a main road in north Louth. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatThe victim's car was pushed from the car park entrance onto the main road after being rammed from behind. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatThe defendant was seen outside the pub carrying a chainsaw. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatA 43-year-old man rammed another motorist out of a pub car park onto a main road. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatThe ramming caused over four thousand euro in damage to the victim's vehicle. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatThe man later returned to the pub in a different car and produced a chainsaw, causing others to retreat inside. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatHe told a witness to the chainsaw incident that he would have him shot if the witness did not withdraw a garda statement. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatIn August 2018 he assaulted another young man outside that man's home in Omeath, repeatedly kicking him on the ground. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whereThe defendant is from Cornamucklagh, Omeath. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whereThe ramming happened from the car park of Howe’s bar in Knocknagoran, Omeath. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened at Howe's Bar, Knocknagoran on 22 December 2017. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whenThe ramming happened on 22 December 2017. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • weaponThe court was told there was no chain on the saw at the time. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeThe defendant pleaded guilty in February to endangerment arising out of the initial incident. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeThe defendant also pleaded guilty to possessing an article with intent to cause injury or intimidate. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeHe was sentenced for endangerment, possessing an article with intent to cause injury or intimidate, assault causing harm and making a threat to kill or cause serious harm. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Dundalk Circuit Court. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe judge remanded the defendant in custody to 4 May for finalisation. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe sentencing took place at Dundalk Circuit Court. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceHe was jailed for three years. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed sentences totalling five years, with the final two years suspended, to encourage rehabilitation. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceHe was given a four-year driving ban for driving uninsured. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherOver €4,000 in damage was caused to the vehicle. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe defence said there was no chain attached to the chainsaw at the time. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe victim said in his victim impact report that he is terrified of the defendant. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe defendant had 30 previous convictions. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe judge noted the defendant had 30 previous convictions, had expressed remorse, had apologised to the victims, had been drug-free for the best part of two years, and had engaged with AA and NA in custody. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 10 May2023
    Sentenceddundalkdemocrat.ie, first report
    Dundalk court: Man rammed a motorist and returned to the scene with a chainsaw

    Court report on sentencing for a series of incidents, including a December 2017 ramming and chainsaw incident, an August 2018 assault and a threat to a witness. The article gives two different sentences: 'jailed for three years' in the lead and 'sentences totalling five years with the final two years suspended' in the body.

    suspect, Conor McLoughlin, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Conor McLoughlinvictim, malevictimvictim, male
  2. 3 May2023
    Convicteddundalkdemocrat.ie, follow-up
    Man appeared at Louth pub carrying a chainsaw, Dundalk court heard

    Reports the February guilty plea, the victim impact statement, the chainsaw incident details, and that the judge remanded him in custody to 4 May for finalisation.

    convicted, Conor McLoughlin, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Conor McLoughlinvictim, male