Ireland Former councillor pleads guilty to assault and criminal damage in Stranorlar
In May 2021, at Knockfair, Stranorlar, County Donegal, Gareth Reid, a 42-year-old former Fine Gael councillor, was charged with assaulting Paul McCool and causing him harm, and with criminal damage to McCool's Peugeot Partner van. The charges relate to an ongoing family dispute. On 27 May 2025, Reid appeared before Letterkenny Circuit Court, where Judge John Aylmer heard him plead guilty. The judge requested a probation report assessing Reid's suitability for community service, and no sentence has been reported.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted27 May
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Gareth Reid pleaded guilty to charges arising from an incident at Knockfair, Stranorlar.
- Where
- The incident took place at Knockfair, Stranorlar, County Donegal.
- When
- The incident took place in May 2021.
- Cause
- The charges relate to an ongoing family dispute.
- Charges
- Reid was charged with assaulting Paul McCool and causing him harm.
- Reid was also charged with criminal damage to the driver's side of a Peugeot Partner van belonging to Paul McCool.
- In court
- Reid appeared before Judge John Aylmer at Letterkenny Circuit Court and spoke only to plead guilty.
- Judge Aylmer requested a probation report that includes an assessment of Reid's suitability for community service.
- Other details
- Reid's barrister told the court that Reid has previous convictions.
- The barrister said there is a very involved family history in the matter, which is also before the High Court over lands and walls.
- Reid is a former Fine Gael councillor and is 42 years old.
- Sentence
- No sentence has been reported.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatReid pleaded guilty to charges arising from an incident at Knockfair, Stranorlar. (donegallive.ie)
- whereThe incident took place at Knockfair, Stranorlar. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe incident took place in May 2021. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeReid was charged with assaulting Paul McCool and causing him harm. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeReid was also charged with criminal damage. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeThe criminal damage was to the driver's side of a Peugeot Partner van belonging to Paul McCool. (donegallive.ie)
- courtReid appeared before Judge John Aylmer and spoke only to plead guilty. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe case was before Letterkenny Circuit Court. (donegallive.ie)
- otherReid's barrister told the court that Reid has previous convictions. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe barrister said there is a very involved family history in the matter. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe matter is also before the High Court over lands and walls. (donegallive.ie)
- otherJudge Aylmer requested a probation report that includes an assessment of Reid's suitability for community service. (donegallive.ie)
- otherReid is a former Fine Gael councillor. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 27 May2025Former Donegal Councillor pleads guilty to serious assault and criminal damage
Reports the guilty plea at Letterkenny Circuit Court, the criminal damage charge, the barrister's comments on previous convictions and a related High Court matter, and the judge's request for a probation report. No sentence is reported.
convicted, Gareth Reid, 42, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gareth Reidvictim, Paul McCool, irish (judged from name)Paul McCool