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. 15963Threats to kill or cause serious harm · Co. Laois · 8 Feb 2022

Elderly man ordered to pay €1,000 to ISPCA after threatening gardaí in Laois

William Bergin (79), of The Glebe, Coolrain, admitted making threats to kill or cause serious harm to a garda at Shanderry in Laois on 8 February 2022. Gardaí were called to the location by the ISPCA, and Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said Bergin made numerous threats to gardaí and towards Garda Quinn, now Sergeant Niall Quinn. At Portlaoise District Court, Bergin was ordered to pay €1,000 to the ISPCA, and the charge was struck out once the money was handed over. The latest development is that the charge was struck out after payment, as reported in articles dated 25 September 2024 and 27 September 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced25 Sep
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
William Bergin admitted making threats to kill or cause serious harm to a garda.
Other details
  • William Bergin is 79 years old and of The Glebe, Coolrain.
  • Sergeant Quinn did not want to make a victim impact report.
  • The defendant had no previous convictions.
  • The judge described the nature of the offence as very serious.
  • One article is dated 25 September 2024, while the publication line gives 27 September 2024.
Where
The incident happened at Shanderry in Laois.
When
The incident happened on 8 February 2022.
Investigation
  • Gardaí were called to the location by the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA).
  • Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said Bergin made numerous threats to gardaí and towards Garda Quinn, now Sergeant Niall Quinn.
Charges
Bergin faced a charge of threats to kill or cause serious harm.
In court
The case was heard at Portlaoise District Court, where Bergin admitted the charge.
Sentence
  • The judge ordered Bergin to pay €1,000 to the ISPCA.
  • The charge was struck out once the money was handed over.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe accused admitted making threats to kill or cause serious harm to a garda. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe incident happened at Shanderry in Laois. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on 8 February 2022. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí were called to the location by the ISPCA. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge ordered that the €1,000 go to the ISPCA. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe charge was struck out once the money was handed over. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defendant had no previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe judge described the nature of the offence as very serious. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Sep2024
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, follow-up
    Elderly man who threatened gardaí in Laois makes donation to ISPCA

    Court outcome: the accused admitted the threats charge at Portlaoise District Court, was ordered to pay €1,000 to the ISPCA, and the charge was struck out after payment. The article is from 2024-09-25 and covers a 2022 incident.

    accused, William Bergin, 79, male, named, irish (judged from name)William Bergin