Ireland Garda sergeant recounts 2020 Glenties shooting by Stephen Dowling
On February 22nd, 2020, Stephen Dowling, a man aged 25 (reports differ: 27), fired up to nine shots during an hour-long episode in Glenties, Co Donegal, while under the influence of drink and drugs, and Edward Gallagher, a man, was caught in the crossfire. Dowling was overpowered and arrested after he mistakenly believed he had run out of bullets. In 2022 he pleaded guilty to five counts of criminal damage and six counts of possessing weapons with intent to endanger life or cause damage to property, and he was jailed for a total of eight years. In March 2024 Garda Sgt Eamon Griffin, who confronted Dowling, received an Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors policing excellence award.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced27 Mar
2 reports
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Stephen Dowling fired up to nine shots during an hour-long episode in Glenties.
- Dowling fired at a BMW, shattering its back window.
- Edward Gallagher was caught in the crossfire and contacted gardaí.
- Dowling aimed his rifle at a Garda sergeant and opened fire.
- Where
- The shooting took place in Glenties, a village in Co Donegal.
- When
- The shooting happened early on February 22nd, 2020.
- Cause
- Dowling was under the influence of drink and drugs.
- Weapon
- Dowling used a high-powered Tikka 3X rifle and was also armed with a hunting knife.
- Investigation
- Dowling was overpowered and arrested after he mistakenly believed he had run out of bullets.
- Charges
- In 2022 Dowling pleaded guilty to five charges of criminal damage and six charges of possessing weapons with intent to endanger life or cause damage to property.
- Sentence
- Dowling was jailed for a total of eight years.
- Other details
- Dowling's age is given as 25 in one set of reports and 27 in another.
- In March 2024 Sgt Eamon Griffin, also spelled Eamonn, received an Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors policing excellence award.
- Three other Garda colleagues were awarded Scott medals for confronting Dowling.
18 statements extracted from the articles
- whatDowling fired up to nine shots during an hour-long episode. (irishtimes.com)
- whatDowling fired at a BMW, shattering its back window. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA second man, Edward Gallagher, was caught in the crossfire and contacted gardaí. (irishtimes.com)
- whatDowling fired up to nine shots during an hour-long onslaught. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatDowling aimed his rifle at a Garda sergeant and opened fire. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe shooting happened in a Co Donegal village. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe shooting took place in Glenties, Co Donegal. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe shooting happened early on February 22nd, 2020. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident happened in February 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeDowling was under the influence of drink and drugs. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponDowling used a high-powered Tikka 3X rifle. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponDowling was armed with a rifle and a hunting knife. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationDowling was overpowered and arrested after he mistakenly believed he had run out of bullets. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeIn 2022 Dowling pleaded guilty to five charges of criminal damage and six charges of possessing weapons with intent to endanger life or cause damage to property. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeDowling pleaded guilty to five charges of criminal damage and six charges of possessing a weapon. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceDowling was jailed for a total of eight years. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceDowling was jailed for eight years. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherSgt Eamon Griffin received a policing excellence award from the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 27 Mar2024Garda sergeant tells of facing down drink and drug crazed gunman
Retrospective article about the 2020 Glenties incident, prompted by Sgt Griffin receiving an award. It adds his account of the stand-off and that Dowling was jailed for eight years.
convicted, Stephen Dowling, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen Dowling - 27 Mar2024‘It is an abnormal job’: Garda sergeant honoured for facing down deer hunter on armed rampage
Feature on Garda Sgt Eamon Griffin receiving an AGSI policing excellence award for confronting Stephen Dowling during the February 2020 Glenties shooting. Adds the 2022 guilty pleas and eight-year sentence for Dowling.
convicted, Stephen Dowling, 25, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen Dowlingvictim, Edward Gallagher, male, irish (judged from name)Edward Gallaghervictim