Ireland Glengad man given suspended sentence over Carndonagh burglary and threats to kill
Paul McLaughlin, a 40-year-old man, is accused of burglary and threats to kill at Carrowmore, Glentogher, Carndonagh, Co Donegal, in the early hours of 1 September 2019, when he was allegedly armed with an iron bar and made threats against the home's occupant, Patrick McLaughlin, aged 62. Gardaí identified three men, and when interviewed Paul McLaughlin denied the allegations before being charged. He later pleaded guilty, and the court heard he had 28 previous convictions and was assessed as high risk of reoffending. On 13 February 2025 at Letterkenny District Court, Judge John Aylmer imposed a four-year suspended prison sentence, marked the case as exceptional, and ordered a bond, 18 months' probation supervision and four years' total abstinence from alcohol.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced13 Feb
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- Where
- The burglary took place at Carrowmore, Glentogher, Carndonagh, Co Donegal.
- When
- The incident happened in the early hours of 1 September 2019.
- What happened
- The accused, Paul McLaughlin, is alleged to have entered the home of Patrick McLaughlin, who was 62 at the time.
- Weapon
- The accused was armed with an iron bar.
- Other details
- The accused allegedly told the victim 'I may as well kill you as him' and that he would come back and burn the house.
- Investigation
- Gardaí identified three men in connection with the incident.
- A vehicle was stolen that night.
- When interviewed, Paul McLaughlin denied the allegations.
- Charges
- He was charged with entering a building as a trespasser and committing an arrestable offence therein, namely making a threat to kill or cause serious harm, with the case reported as burglary and making threats to kill.
- In court
- He pleaded guilty, and the threat to kill charge was marked as taken into consideration.
- He had 28 previous convictions, and a probation risk assessment placed him at high risk of reoffending in the next 12 months.
- The victim did not wish to come to court, and Judge John Aylmer considered the matter exceptional.
- Sentence
- He was given a four-year suspended prison sentence on 13 February 2025 at Letterkenny District Court, which was reported that day.
- He was ordered to enter a bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for four years, to be supervised by the Probation Service for 18 months, and to abstain completely from alcohol for four years.
20 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe burglary took place at Carrowmore, Glentogher, Carndonagh. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe incident happened in the early hours of 1 September 2019. (donegallive.ie)
- weaponThe accused was armed with an iron bar. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationGardaí identified the three men. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationA vehicle was stolen that night. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationWhen interviewed, he denied the allegations. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeHe was charged with entering a building as a trespasser and committing an arrestable offence therein, namely making a threat to kill or cause serious harm. (donegallive.ie)
- courtHe pleaded guilty at a trial date. (donegallive.ie)
- courtHe had 28 previous convictions. (donegallive.ie)
- courtA probation risk assessment placed him at high risk of reoffending in the next 12 months. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe judge marked the threat to kill charge as taken into consideration. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe victim did not wish to come to court. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe judge considered the matter exceptional. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceHe was given a four-year suspended prison sentence. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceHe was ordered to enter a bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for four years. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceHe was ordered to be supervised by the Probation Service for 18 months. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceHe was directed to abstain completely from alcohol for four years. (donegallive.ie)
- otherHe told the victim 'I may as well kill you as him'. (donegallive.ie)
- otherHe told the victim he would come back and burn the house. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe victim was 62 at the time of the incident. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 13 Feb2025‘Extraordinarily fortunate’ Glengad man spared prison after burglary
Court report on the sentencing of Paul McLaughlin for a burglary at Carrowmore, Glentogher, Carndonagh, on 1 September 2019, with full details of the charges, plea, and suspended sentence and conditions.
convicted, Paul McLaughlin, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul McLaughlinvictim, Patrick McLaughlin, 62, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick McLaughlin