Ireland Case No. 9344Aggravated burglary, threats to kill or cause serious harm, and burglary · Co. Donegal · 1 Jun 2022
Letterkenny pair sentenced over apartment burglary and business break-ins
On 1 June 2022, Matthew Lafferty, a 30-year-old man, held a hammer to a woman's head and Amanda Coleman, a 37-year-old woman, made threats to kill two people at Robinsons Hall, Port Road, Letterkenny. Lafferty also pleaded guilty to a burglary spree at seven commercial premises in Letterkenny on 20 September 2024. The pair were charged in January 2023, sent to Letterkenny Circuit Court, and entered guilty pleas in February 2025 and November 2025. In May 2026, Lafferty was sentenced to eight and a half years' imprisonment with part suspended, and Coleman received a fully suspended four-and-a-half-year sentence.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court26 Jan
- Convicted12 Feb
2 reports - Sentenced31 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- On 1 June 2022, Lafferty held a hammer to a woman's head and Coleman made threats to kill two people at Robinsons Hall, Port Road, Letterkenny.
- Lafferty pleaded guilty to a burglary spree at seven commercial premises in Letterkenny on 20 September 2024.
- Where
- The apartment incident took place at Robinsons Hall, Port Road, Letterkenny, and the burglary spree involved premises at Ace Barbers, Future Style Barber Shop and Mr Chippie in Letterkenny.
- When
- The apartment incident occurred on 1 June 2022 and the burglary spree on 20 September 2024.
- Weapon
- Lafferty produced a hammer during the apartment incident.
- Cause
- Lafferty said he carried out the burglaries because of a drug debt.
- Investigation
- Detectives identified the pair from CCTV and they were arrested at Letterkenny Bus Station.
- Charges
- Each defendant faced 13 separate and similar charges including aggravated burglary, threats to kill or cause serious harm, and burglary.
- In court
- The pair were formally arraigned at Letterkenny Circuit Court, and Lafferty pleaded guilty to three charges relating to the apartment incident in February 2025.
- Lafferty pleaded guilty to three further charges relating to the September 2024 burglary spree in November 2025.
- Sentence
- In May 2026, Lafferty was sentenced to eight and a half years' imprisonment with part of the sentence suspended for four years.
- Coleman received a fully suspended four-and-a-half-year sentence and must enter a bond to keep the peace for four-and-a-half years.
- Other details
- Lafferty and Coleman have 132 previous convictions between them.
54 statements extracted from the articles
- whatEach defendant faces 13 separate and similar charges (donegallive.ie)
- whatLafferty is 30 years old and lives at 2 Robinson Hall, Port Road, Letterkenny (donegallive.ie)
- whatColeman is 37 years old and lives at 2a Robinson Hall, Port Road, Letterkenny (donegallive.ie)
- whatA man pleaded guilty to a spate of burglaries in Letterkenny. (donegallive.ie)
- 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 incident took place at Robinsons Hall, Port Road Apartments, Letterkenny. (donegallive.ie)
- whereThe charges relate to premises at Ace Barbers, Future Style Barber Shop and Mr Chippie in Letterkenny. (donegallive.ie)
- whereThe case was heard at Letterkenny Circuit Court. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe incident took place on 1 June 2022 at Robinson Hall, Port Road, Letterkenny (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe incident took place on June 1, 2022. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe incidents took place on September 20, 2024. (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 pleaded guilty to producing an article capable of inflicting serious injury, namely a hammer. (donegallive.ie)
- weaponLafferty burst into another apartment and produced a hammer. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationGarda Lynda Halligan gave evidence of serving a book of evidence on each accused (donegallive.ie)
- investigationDetectives identified the pair from CCTV. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationThe pair were arrested at Letterkenny Bus Station. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeAmong the charges is aggravated burglary (donegallive.ie)
- chargeLafferty is charged with producing a hammer in the course of a dispute (donegallive.ie)
- chargeThey are charged with making threats to kill or cause serious harm (donegallive.ie)
- chargeThey are charged with burglary, assault, and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour (donegallive.ie)
- chargeLafferty pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeLafferty pleaded guilty to two charges of making threats to kill or cause serious harm to two people on the same day at the same location. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeColeman pleaded guilty to burglary at Robinsons Hall, Port Road Apartments, Letterkenny. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeColeman pleaded guilty to making threats to kill or cause serious harm to a person on the same date at the same location. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeLafferty admitted entering premises as a trespasser and committing an arrestable offence of criminal damage and theft. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeA co-accused was also charged with burglaries at several Letterkenny premises. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeThe pair were charged with damaging a front door glass valued at €700. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeColeman pleaded guilty to burglary and to making threats to kill or cause serious harm to a person. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe DPP consented to the pair being sent forward to Letterkenny Circuit Court (donegallive.ie)
- courtJudge Éiteáin Cunningham administered the alibi warning and made a section 56 order (donegallive.ie)
- courtLegal aid was granted to solicitor Patsy Gallagher (donegallive.ie)
- courtBoth defendants were granted bail (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe pair were formally arraigned before Judge John Aylmer at Letterkenny Circuit Court. (donegallive.ie)
- courtLafferty's bail on these charges was revoked and he was remanded in custody. (donegallive.ie)
- courtJudge Aylmer agreed to a probation and welfare report on Coleman's behalf, which is to include suitability for community service. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe matter was adjourned to the July sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court. (donegallive.ie)
- courtLafferty pleaded guilty to three charges at Letterkenny Circuit Court. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe State said the guilty pleas could be taken on a full facts basis. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceLafferty was remanded in custody until February 2026. (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)
- otherThe court heard that Lafferty is in custody at Castlerea Prison on other charges. (donegallive.ie)
- otherLafferty's barrister said he voluntarily entered custody. (donegallive.ie)
- otherA probation report was requested. (donegallive.ie)
- otherLafferty is held in custody at Castlerea Prison. (donegallive.ie)
- otherLafferty and Coleman have 132 previous convictions between them. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 31 May2026Letterkenny 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 - 8 Nov2025Man admits to spate of Letterkenny burglaries during court appearance
Lafferty pleaded guilty to three charges relating to the September 20, 2024 Letterkenny burglaries and criminal damage. A co-accused is also charged with further burglaries and criminal damage. Lafferty was remanded in custody until February 2026 and a probation report was requested.
convicted, Matthew Lafferty, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Laffertyaccused - 12 Feb2025Letterkenny duo plead guilty to making threats to kill during burglary
Reports guilty pleas entered at Letterkenny Circuit Court before Judge John Aylmer, Coleman's age and address, Lafferty's custody at Castlerea Prison, revocation of bail, and adjournment to the July sitting for a probation and welfare report that includes suitability for community service.
convicted, Matthew Lafferty, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Laffertyconvicted, Amanda Coleman, 39, female, named, irish (judged from name)Amanda Coleman - 26 Jan2023Pair to stand trial over threats to kill with hammer
Describes the Letterkenny District Court appearance where the pair were sent forward for trial at Letterkenny Circuit Court on 13 charges each; DPP consented; Judge Éiteáin Cunningham administered alibi warning and made a section 56 order; legal aid granted to solicitor Patsy Gallagher; both granted bail.
accused, Matthew Lafferty, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Laffertyaccused, Amanda Coleman, 37, female, named, irish (judged from name)Amanda Coleman