Thursday 29 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. 9344Aggravated burglary, threats to kill or cause serious harm, and burglary · Co. Donegal · 1 Jun 2022

Letterkenny pair sentenced over apartment block hammer threats and burglaries

Matthew Lafferty and Amanda Coleman were charged over an incident at Robinsons Hall, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, on June 1, 2022, in which Lafferty is reported to have pressed a hammer against a woman's head, and over a burglary spree in the town in September 2024. Detectives identified the pair from CCTV and arrested them at Letterkenny Bus Station. Lafferty pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, and Coleman pleaded guilty to burglary and to making threats to kill or cause serious harm. At Letterkenny Circuit Court, Lafferty received sentences totalling eight and a half years' imprisonment with part suspended and 18 months' Probation Service supervision, and Coleman received a fully suspended four-and-a-half-year sentence; the sentencing was reported on May 31, 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced31 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Matthew Lafferty and Amanda Coleman were charged over an incident at Robinsons Hall, Letterkenny, and a burglary spree.
  • Lafferty is reported to have pressed a hammer against a woman's head during an apartment block burglary.
  • Coleman is reported to have made threats to kill two people in the property.
  • Seven commercial premises were subjected to theft or damage in the burglary spree.
Where
  • The apartment incident took place at Robinsons Hall, Port Road, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.
  • The case was heard at Letterkenny Circuit Court.
When
  • The apartment incident occurred on June 1, 2022.
  • The burglary spree took place in September 2024.
Weapon
Lafferty is reported to have burst into another apartment and produced a hammer.
Cause
Lafferty said he carried out the burglaries because he had a drug debt.
Investigation
Detectives identified the pair from CCTV and arrested them at Letterkenny Bus Station.
Charges
Lafferty pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, and Coleman pleaded guilty to burglary and to making threats to kill or cause serious harm.
Sentence
  • Coleman received a fully suspended four-and-a-half-year sentence and must enter a bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for four and a half years.
  • Lafferty's sentences totalled eight and a half years' imprisonment, with the three-year sentence and the final 12 months of the five-and-a-half-year sentence suspended for four years, and he must be under Probation Service supervision for 18 months.
18 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMatthew Lafferty and Amanda Coleman were charged over an incident at Robinsons Hall, Letterkenny, and a spate of burglaries. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatLafferty held the hammer to a woman's head. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatThe court heard that Coleman made threats to kill two people in the property. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatSeven commercial premises were subjected to thefts or damage in the burglary spree. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe case was heard at Letterkenny Circuit Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe apartment incident occurred on June 1, 2022. (donegallive.ie)
  • causeLafferty said he carried out the burglaries because he had a drug debt. (donegallive.ie)
  • weaponLafferty burst into another apartment and produced a hammer. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationDetectives identified the pair from CCTV. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationThe pair were arrested at Letterkenny Bus Station. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeLafferty pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeColeman pleaded guilty to burglary and to making threats to kill or cause serious harm to a person. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceColeman received a fully suspended four-and-a-half-year sentence. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceLafferty's sentences totalled eight and a half years' imprisonment. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge suspended the totality of the three-year sentence and the final 12 months of the five-and-a-half-year sentence for four years. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceLafferty must go under Probation Service supervision for 18 months. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceColeman must enter a bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for four-and-a-half years. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherLafferty and Coleman have 132 previous convictions between them. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 31 May2026
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Letterkenny pair sentenced after apartment block threats and business break-ins

    Sentencing report from Letterkenny Circuit Court. It covers the June 2022 apartment incident and the September 2024 burglary spree, and gives the sentences imposed on both accused.

    convicted, Matthew Lafferty, 34, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Laffertyconvicted, Amanda Coleman, 40, female, named, irish (judged from name)Amanda Coleman