Wednesday 28 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. 0362Criminal damage · Co. Galway · 27 Aug 2026

Headstone destroyed in Ballymore Cemetery, Craughwell, Co Galway

Richard Donohue's headstone was destroyed overnight on 27–28 August 2026 in Ballymore Cemetery, Craughwell, Co Galway, just 24 hours after it was erected and hours before it was to be blessed. Mr Donohue had died unexpectedly on 28 July 2025, and his family had waited a year for the headstone to be installed. Gardaí launched an investigation into the criminal damage after the grave was found wrecked. No suspect has been identified and investigations are ongoing.

  1. Reported29 Aug
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Richard Donohue's headstone was destroyed in Ballymore Cemetery.
Where
The cemetery is in Craughwell, Co Galway.
When
The headstone was destroyed overnight on 27–28 August 2026, just 24 hours after it was erected.
Other details
  • Richard Donohue died unexpectedly on 28 July 2025.
  • His family had waited a year to have the headstone installed.
  • The headstone was to be blessed hours after it was destroyed.
Investigation
Gardaí launched an investigation into the criminal damage; no suspect has been identified and investigations are ongoing.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatRichard Donohue's headstone was wrecked in Ballymore Cemetery. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe cemetery is in Craughwell, Co Galway. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe headstone was destroyed just 24 hours after it was erected. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe damage occurred overnight on Thursday 27 August into Friday 28 August 2026. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí launched a probe after the grave was damaged. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherRichard Donohue passed away unexpectedly on 28 July 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHis family had to wait a year to get a headstone. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe headstone was to be blessed hours after it was destroyed. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 29 Aug2026
    Reportedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Gardai launch investigation after grave destroyed in Galway cemetery

    Gardaí launched an investigation after the headstone was destroyed overnight 27–28 August 2026; no suspect identified.

    victim, Richard Donohue, male, irish (judged from name)Richard Donohue