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. 22882Threatening to kill or cause serious harm · Co. Donegal · 5 Jun 2022

Dungloe man pleads guilty to threatening to kill cousin in phone message

John Boyle, 37, of Ard Crone, Dungloe, pleaded guilty at Dungloe District Court to threatening to kill or cause serious harm after leaving a phone message on his cousin Frank Earley's phone in Kinlough in which he said he would 'slice him' and hoped his cousin's mother would 'rot in hell'. The case was adjourned to 9 May for pre-sentence reports.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court15 Jan
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe defendant also called Mr Earley a ginger p---k in the message. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatThe phone message was read out in court by Garda Inspector Seamus McGonigle. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatIn a subsequent interview the defendant admitted it was his voice on the phone and that the contents were accurate. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí investigated a complaint from Mr Earley. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe defendant pleaded guilty to a charge of threatening to kill or cause serious harm at 22 Dartry View, Kinlough on 5 June 2022. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtJudge Eiteáin Cunningham said she would need a probation report and a victim impact statement. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned to 9 May. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherDefence solicitor Frank Dorrian said the comments were overblown and excessive against a background of a dispute where all parties were drunk. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe defendant had 34 previous convictions including two for threatening to kill, public order offences, common assault, criminal damage and misuse of drugs. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe defendant's last conviction was in 2016. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe defendant had no alcohol since July 2021 and this incident was a relapse. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe defendant is now working in a local factory, attending AA, and in a stable relationship. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 Jan2023
    In courtdonegallive.ie, first report
    Dungloe man told his cousin he would ‘slice him’ - court hears

    Court hearing at Dungloe District Court where the defendant pleaded guilty; case adjourned for probation report and victim impact statement.

    suspect, John Boyle, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Boylevictim, Frank Earley, male, irish (judged from name)Frank Earley