Saturday 31 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. 18258Threatening to kill · Co. Clare · 15 Feb 2022

Johnny Donovan jailed for 20 months for threatening garda

On 15 February 2022 Johnny Donovan, a 22-year-old Co Clare man, threatened to kill Garda Jim McNamara at Ennistymon Garda Station, after gardaí had seized his vehicle a number of days earlier. He pleaded guilty to threatening to kill the garda at Ennis Circuit Court. On 15 February 2024 Judge Francis Comerford imposed a 20-month prison sentence on Mr Donovan, days after he married.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced15 Feb
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Johnny Donovan, a 22-year-old Co Clare man, threatened to kill a garda.
Where
The threat was made to Garda Jim McNamara at Ennistymon Garda Station.
When
The incident occurred on 15 February 2022.
Cause
The threats arose from gardaí seizing Mr Donovan's vehicle a number of days earlier.
Charges
Mr Donovan pleaded guilty to threatening to kill the garda.
In court
Sentencing took place at Ennis Circuit Court on 15 February 2024.
Sentence
Judge Francis Comerford imposed a 20-month prison sentence.
Other details
  • The judge described the offence as an impulsive action rather than a calculated threat.
  • The judge said the offence was out of context with Mr Donovan's 13 previous offences, which were mainly theft and road traffic.
  • The judge said Mr Donovan is in part-time work and has made efforts to turn his life around.
  • Mr Donovan said he was on drugs at the time of the offence.
  • Mr Donovan had married the weekend before sentencing.
  • The garda said in his victim impact statement that he had been frightened and wary in public since the incident.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA judge jailed a Co Clare man for 20 months for threatening to kill a garda. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereThe threat was made to Garda Jim McNamara at Ennistymon Garda Station. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred on 15 February 2022. (limerickleader.ie)
  • causeThe threats arose from gardaí seizing the man's vehicle a number of days earlier. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe sentencing took place at Ennis Circuit Court. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe man pleaded guilty to threatening to kill the garda. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Francis Comerford imposed a 20-month prison sentence. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe judge described the offence as an impulsive action rather than a calculated threat. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe judge said the offence was out of context with the man's previous 13 offences, which were mainly theft and road traffic. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe judge said the man is in part-time work and has made efforts to turn his life around. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe man said he was on drugs at the time of the offence. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe man had been married the weekend before sentencing. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe garda said in his victim impact statement that he had been frightened and wary when in public since the incident. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 Feb2024
    Sentencedlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Man jailed days after getting married after threatening to kill garda

    Reports the sentencing of a 20-month prison term at Ennis Circuit Court for threatening to kill a garda on 15 February 2022. No existing case matches this 2022 incident.

    convicted, Johnny Donovan, 22, male, named, irish (judged from name)Johnny Donovanvictim, Jim McNamara, 59, male, irish (judged from name)Jim McNamara