Ireland Former soldier jailed for firing blank bullets at wife in Raphoe
Peter Walters, a 59-year-old Irish man and former soldier, fired blank bullets from a replica gun at his wife, Theresa Walters, while she prayed in a bedroom at their home in Raphoe, County Donegal, on 17 May 2021, after drinking six bottles of whiskey and vodka. Gardaí attended the scene at Beechwood Avenue around 10.20am and Walters was arrested, but he was too intoxicated to be interviewed. He cooperated with the investigation, made admissions and pleaded guilty, and the judge set a starting point of seven years because the victim was his wife. The latest reported development, in a DonegalLive article published on 5 November 2023, is that Walters was sentenced at Letterkenny Circuit Court, though the report gives differing terms of four years, or five years with the final 12 months suspended.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced5 Nov
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Peter Walters fired blank bullets at his wife, Theresa Walters, after bursting into a bedroom while she prayed.
- Where
- The incident happened at the couple's home in Raphoe, County Donegal.
- When
- The incident happened on 17 May 2021.
- Cause
- Walters had drunk six bottles of whiskey and vodka in the hours before the incident.
- Weapon
- Walters fired blank bullets from a replica gun.
- Investigation
- Gardaí went to the scene at Beechwood Avenue around 10.20am.
- Walters was arrested and was too intoxicated to be interviewed.
- Other details
- Walters admitted owning the guns.
- Walters had PTSD and alcoholism, which the judge said were well documented.
- Charges
- Walters cooperated with the investigation, made admissions and pleaded guilty.
- In court
- The judge set a starting point of seven years because the victim was Walters' wife.
- A destruction order was made.
- Sentence
- Sources differ: one says Walters was jailed for four years at Letterkenny Circuit Court, while the other says the sentence was reduced to five years with the final 12 months suspended.
- Walters was ordered to abstain from alcohol and unprescribed drugs, attend trauma-informed therapy and a domestic violence programme, and be supervised by the Probation Service.
15 statements extracted from the articles
- whatWalters burst into a bedroom and shot at his wife while she prayed. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on 17 May 2021 at the couple's home in Raphoe. (donegallive.ie)
- causeWalters drank six bottles of whiskey and vodka in the hours before the incident. (donegallive.ie)
- weaponWalters fired blank bullets from a replica gun. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationGardaí went to the scene at Beechwood Avenue around 10.20am. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationWalters was too intoxicated to be interviewed after his arrest. (donegallive.ie)
- courtWalters cooperated with the investigation and made admissions before pleading guilty. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe judge set a starting point of seven years because the victim was Walters' wife. (donegallive.ie)
- courtA destruction order was made. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceWalters was jailed for four years at Letterkenny Circuit Court. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceThe sentence was reduced to five years, with the final 12 months suspended. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceWalters was ordered to abstain completely from alcohol and unprescribed drugs. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceThe judge ordered Walters to engage in trauma-informed therapy and enter a domestic violence programme. (donegallive.ie)
- otherWalters admitted owning the guns. (donegallive.ie)
- otherWalters had PTSD and alcoholism, which the judge said were well documented. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 5 Nov2023Former soldier jailed after firing shots at wife while she prayed
Sentencing report. The article's opening gives a four-year term, but the body says the sentence was reduced to five years with the final 12 months suspended. It also says Walters must abstain from alcohol, attend trauma-informed therapy and a domestic violence programme, and be supervised by the Probation Service.
convicted, Peter Walters, 59, male, Irish, named, irishPeter Waltersvictim, Theresa Walters, female, irish (judged from name)Theresa Walters