Friday 30 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. 15892Non-payment of court fines (underlying drink driving, no insurance, threatening or abusive behaviour, failing to comply with Garda directions) · Co. Longford

Longford man sentenced to five days in custody over unpaid fines

Thomas McDonagh (41) of Longford was sentenced to five days in custody at Longford District Court for five unpaid court fines totalling €1,260, imposed for drink driving, no insurance, threatening or abusive behaviour and failing to comply with Garda directions offences dating from 2018 and 2019. He came before Judge Bernadette Owens on a bench warrant and said he was not in a position to pay. The latest development is that Judge Owens sentenced him to five days in custody, as reported on 5 October 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced4 Oct
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Five unpaid court fines totalling €1,260 were outstanding.
When
  • A €250 fine was imposed for a drink driving offence in January 2018.
  • A €250 fine was imposed for a no insurance conviction on 4 April 2018.
  • A €400 fine was imposed for drink driving on 4 April 2018.
  • Two €180 fines were imposed on 29 June 2019, for threatening or abusive behaviour and for failing to comply with Garda directions.
  • The sentencing was reported by the Longford Leader on 5 October 2024.
Where
The case was heard at Longford District Court.
In court
Thomas McDonagh (41) of Longford came before Judge Bernadette Owens on a bench warrant for the five outstanding fines.
Other details
  • He said he was not in a position to pay, telling the court he would not be able to pay the fines anyway.
  • He told the court he is the father of five children and works five days a week.
  • No single incident date is given, as the fines relate to offences from 2018 and 2019.
Sentence
Judge Owens sentenced him to five days in custody.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe fines total €1,260. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatHe was fined €250 for a drink driving offence in January 2018. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatHe was fined €250 for a no insurance conviction on April 4, 2018. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatHe was fined €400 for drink driving on April 4, 2018. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatHe was fined two sums of €180 for threatening and abusive behaviour and for failing to comply with Garda directions on June 29, 2019. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtMcDonagh came before Judge Bernadette Owens on a bench warrant for five outstanding fines. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Owens sentenced him to five days in custody. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherHe said he was not in a position to pay a fine. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherHe told the court he is the father of five children and works five days a week. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 4 Oct2024
    Sentencedlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Longford man unable to pay €1,260 in fines sentenced to five days in custody

    Reports the sentencing of Thomas McDonagh (41) of Templemichael Terrace, Longford, to five days in custody for unpaid fines. The fines relate to offences from 2018 and 2019. The article gives no single incident date. Its age and offence details do not match existing case 11039 (a 33-year-old charged with fake receipt refunds), so no existing case is linked.

    convicted, Thomas McDonagh, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Thomas McDonagh