Sunday 1 November 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. 22079Assault; criminal damage (broken reading glasses) · Co. Donegal · 22 Jul 2021

John Milsop's assault and criminal damage charges dismissed at Donegal District Court

John Milsop, 65, of Cashelcarn, Kilcar, was charged with assaulting retail supervisor John Drury and breaking his reading glasses at SuperValu, Killybegs, on 22 July 2021. Judge Patricia Cronin dismissed both charges at Donegal District Court on 1 March 2023, ruling that CCTV footage contradicted the victim's evidence.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Acquitted3 Mar
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMilsop denied both charges (donegallive.ie)
  • whatDrury was working as a supervisor at SuperValu on the date of the incident (donegallive.ie)
  • whatDrury claimed he was unloading water bottles at the back of the shop when the incident occurred (donegallive.ie)
  • whatDrury observed Milsop not wearing a face covering as per regulations in place at the time (donegallive.ie)
  • whatDrury said Milsop told him to 'f**k off' (donegallive.ie)
  • whatDrury said Milsop took his glasses off and smashed them on the ground with his foot (donegallive.ie)
  • whatDrury said Milsop tried to headbutt him (donegallive.ie)
  • whatDrury said Milsop picked up a bottle and tried to put a hooked tip into his eye (donegallive.ie)
  • whatDrury attended the doctor for treatment on his injured eye (donegallive.ie)
  • whatDrury acknowledged he was not wearing a uniform and had taken his top off when unloading bottles (donegallive.ie)
  • whatMilsop had attended a diabetic eye clinic in Donegal Town and had drops in his eyes causing discomfort, which is why he was not wearing a mask (donegallive.ie)
  • whatMilsop and his wife stopped in SuperValu for shopping on the way home from the clinic (donegallive.ie)
  • whatDespite the awkward angle, the CCTV showed Drury pushed his chest into Milsop and shoved him (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationGarda Odhran McBride attended SuperValu after receiving a complaint of an assault and viewed CCTV footage (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationMilsop made a counter allegation which led to Drury being asked to make a cautioned statement (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeMilsop was charged with assaulting John Drury at SuperValu, Killybegs (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeMilsop was charged with causing criminal damage by breaking Drury's reading glasses (donegallive.ie)
  • courtJudge Cronin ruled that the CCTV footage contradicted Drury's evidence (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe prosecution agreed that Drury did not push or touch Milsop (donegallive.ie)
  • courtJudge Cronin dismissed the case (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Mar2023
    Acquitteddonegallive.ie, first report
    Judge rules that alleged assault victim’s evidence contradicts CCTV footage

    Reports the full court hearing at which Judge Cronin dismissed the case after finding the CCTV footage contradicted the victim's account of the assault.

    accused, John Milsop, 65, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Milsopvictim, John Drury, male, irish (judged from name)John Drury