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. 19465Threats to kill gardaí · Co. Longford · 25 Dec 2020

Longford man pleads guilty to threatening to kill four gardaí

In October 2023, Darren Kelly (38), of Longford, pleaded guilty at Longford Circuit Court to threatening to kill Garda David Conroy and Garda Joe Kavanagh. The offences took place on Christmas night into St Stephen's morning 2020, at a house in Grian Ard, Longford, after gardaí responded to a domestic call. Kelly was also charged with obstructing Garda Conroy and threatening to kill Gardaí Leo Shiel and John Fitzmaurice, which are allegations. The latest development is that Judge Keenan Johnson ordered a probation report and remanded Kelly on continuing bail to 9 January 2024 for sentencing.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted18 Oct
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Gardaí responded to a domestic call and were met by Kelly's daughter, who said he had badly assaulted his partner.
  • Kelly became extremely agitated and threatened to kill the four gardaí.
  • Pepper spray was used to restrain Kelly, but he continued to resist arrest.
  • Kelly's daughter is reported to have assaulted Garda Leo Shiel in the course of his duty.
Where
The incident took place at a house in Grian Ard, Longford.
When
The incident occurred on Christmas night into St Stephen's morning 2020.
Weapon
Kelly made reference to a pick axe and threatened to use it on the four gardaí.
Charges
  • Kelly pleaded guilty to threatening to kill Garda David Conroy and Garda Joe Kavanagh.
  • Kelly was also charged with obstructing a peace officer, Garda David Conroy, and with threatening to kill Gardaí Leo Shiel and John Fitzmaurice.
In court
Kelly appeared before Judge Keenan Johnson at Longford Circuit Court.
Sentence
Judge Johnson ordered a probation report and remanded Kelly on continuing bail to 9 January 2024 for sentencing.
Other details
  • Kelly was under a peace bond from a section three assault conviction when these offences were committed.
  • Kelly has 47 previous convictions, two of them for threatening to kill gardaí.
  • Kelly said he has stopped drinking and is on a waiting list for anger management.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGardaí were met by the accused's daughter, who said her father had badly assaulted his partner. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatKelly became extremely agitated and threatened to kill the four gardaí. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatPepper spray was used to restrain Kelly, but he continued to resist arrest. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatKelly's daughter assaulted Garda Leo Shiel in the course of his duty. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereGardaí arrived at a house in Grian Ard. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenGardaí responded to a domestic call on Christmas night into St Stephen's morning of 2020. (longfordleader.ie)
  • weaponKelly made reference to a pick axe and threatened to use it on the four gardaí. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeKelly pleaded guilty to threatening to kill Garda David Conroy and Garda Joe Kavanagh. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeKelly was also charged with obstruction of a peace officer, Garda David Conroy. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeKelly was also charged with threatening to kill Garda Leo Shiel and Garda John Fitzmaurice. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtDarren Kelly appeared before Judge Keenan Johnson at Longford Circuit Court. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtJudge Johnson ordered a probation report and remanded Kelly on continuing bail to January 9, 2024, for sentencing. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherKelly was under a peace bond from a section three assault conviction when these offences were committed. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherKelly has 47 previous convictions, two of them for threatening to kill gardaí. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherKelly said he has stopped drinking and is on a waiting list for anger management. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 18 Oct2023
    Convictedlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Longford man who threatened to kill four Gardaí was "like someone possessed"

    Reports the guilty plea, the charges naming four gardaí, the court's remand for sentencing and Kelly's previous convictions.

    convicted, Darren Kelly, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Darren Kellyvictim, David Conroy, irish (judged from name)David Conroyvictim, Joe Kavanagh, irish (judged from name)Joe Kavanaghvictim, Leo Shiel, irish (judged from name)Leo Shielvictim, John Fitzmaurice, irish (judged from name)John Fitzmaurice