Ireland Letterkenny man given suspended sentences for public order offences, garda assault case adjourned
Martin Gildea, 41, of Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, faced several public order charges and one charge of assaulting a garda. The garda assault is alleged to have happened at Kincraigy, Manorcunningham, on 24 May 2023, and the public order incidents were on 28 August 2024, 14 March (year not stated) and 29 December 2024. At Letterkenny District Court, as reported on 25 March 2026, Judge Malone imposed two-month sentences on each public order offence, to run consecutively, suspended for 18 months. The garda assault case was adjourned to 25 May, with a probation report ordered and a victim impact statement requested.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced25 Mar
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Martin Gildea, 41, faced several public order charges and one charge of assaulting a garda in Letterkenny.
- Where
- The assault on a garda is alleged to have taken place at Kincraigy, Manorcunningham, on 24 May 2023.
- On 28 August 2024 Gildea was refused service at Rosie's Bar in Drumkeen and became aggressive.
- When
- On 14 March, year not stated, Gildea was found drunk at the Spar Express shop at Ballyraine and was arrested.
- On 29 December 2024 Gildea was reported to be acting aggressively on Lower Main Street in Letterkenny.
- Cause
- Gildea is accused of assaulting a garda by biting him and breaking the skin.
- Charges
- Gildea faced several public order charges and one charge of assaulting a garda.
- In court
- The case was heard at Letterkenny District Court, and reported on 25 March 2026.
- The judge adjourned the garda assault case until 25 May.
- Sentence
- Judge Malone imposed two-month jail sentences on each public order offence, to run consecutively, suspended for 18 months.
- Investigation
- The judge ordered a probation and welfare report on Gildea.
- Other details
- The judge requested a victim impact statement from the injured garda.
- His solicitor said Gildea suffers from serious mental health issues.
- Gildea has 49 previous convictions, according to the report.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA man who bit a Garda during a public order incident in Letterkenny has been given a two-month suspended jail sentence. (donegallive.ie)
- whereOn 28 August 2024 Gildea was at Rosie's Bar in Drumkeen, where he was refused service and became aggressive. (donegallive.ie)
- whereOn 14 March Gildea was found drunk at the Spar Express shop at Ballyraine and was arrested. (donegallive.ie)
- whenOn 29 December 2024 Gildea was acting aggressively at Lower Main Street in Letterkenny. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe assault on gardaí took place at Kincraigy, Manorcunningham, on 24 May 2023. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationThe judge ordered a probation and welfare report on Gildea. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeGildea faced several public order charges and one charge of assaulting a garda. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeGildea is accused of assaulting a garda by biting him and breaking the skin. (donegallive.ie)
- courtJudge Malone imposed two-month jail sentences on each public order offence, to run consecutively, but suspended both for 18 months. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe judge adjourned the garda assault case until 25 May. (donegallive.ie)
- otherHis solicitor said he suffers from serious mental health issues. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe judge requested a victim impact statement from the injured garda. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 25 Mar2026Suspended prison sentence for Letterkenny man who bit Garda during arrest
Court outcome: public order offences resulted in suspended sentences, and the garda assault charge was adjourned to 25 May with a probation report ordered. Covers incidents from 2023 to 2024.
convicted, Martin Gildea, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Martin Gildea