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. 9670Threat to cause criminal damage · Co. Louth · 15 Dec 2020

Louth man given suspended sentence for threatening to burn garda's home

Padraig Smith (41), of Dundalk, was stopped on 15 December 2020 for holding a mobile phone while driving and was later reported to have threatened to burn a female garda's home. During his arrest he was reported to have struck a female garda in the face, causing a cut under her left eye and a bleeding nose. Smith admitted a charge of making a threat to cause criminal damage, and a charge of obstructing a garda was taken into consideration. On the Friday before the report of 7 May 2026, Judge McMullan at Drogheda Circuit Court imposed a fully suspended sentence of 18 months.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced7 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Padraig Smith threatened to burn a garda's home.
  • During his arrest, Smith was reported to have become aggressive, shouted into a female garda's face and swung his arms, and she was struck in the face.
  • In custody, Smith was reported to have said the garda deserved it and that he would find out where her house was and burn it.
Other details
  • The garda was reported to have suffered a cut under her left eye and a bleeding nose.
  • Smith had not come to Garda attention since the incident and was assessed as low risk of re-offending.
When
The threat was made on 15 December 2020.
Where
The case was heard at Drogheda Circuit Court.
Cause
Smith was stopped for holding a mobile phone while driving.
Charges
  • Smith admitted a charge of making a threat to cause criminal damage.
  • Smith admitted a charge of obstructing a garda, which was taken into consideration at sentencing.
In court
Judge McMullan said she accepted the defendant never meant to carry out the threat, which the defence also said, but said it was a threat to burn a home.
Sentence
  • Judge McMullan imposed a fully suspended sentence of 18 months.
  • The suspended sentence was given on the Friday before the report of 7 May 2026.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatPadraig Smith threatened to burn a garda's home. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatDuring arrest, Smith became aggressive, shouted into a female garda's face and swung his arms, and she was struck in the face. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatThe garda suffered a cut under her left eye and a bleeding nose. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatIn custody, Smith said the garda deserved it and that he would find out where her house was and burn it. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whereThe case was heard at Drogheda Circuit Court. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whenThe threat was made on 15 December 2020. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • causeSmith was stopped for holding a mobile phone while driving. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeSmith admitted a charge of making a threat to cause criminal damage. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeSmith admitted obstructing a garda, which was taken into consideration at sentencing. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtJudge McMullan said she accepted the defendant never meant to carry out the threat. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceSmith was given a suspended sentence the previous Friday. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceJudge McMullan imposed a fully suspended sentence of 18 months. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe defence said Smith never intended to carry out the threat. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe judge accepted Smith never meant to carry out the threat but said it was a threat to burn a home. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherSmith had not come to Garda attention since the incident and was assessed as low risk of re-offending. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 7 May2026
    Sentenceddundalkdemocrat.ie, first report
    Louth man who threatened to burn down a Garda's house escapes jail

    Reports the sentencing at Drogheda Circuit Court, the facts of the threat and assault on a garda, the defence and judge's comments, and the suspended sentence.

    convicted, Padraig Smith, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Padraig Smithvictim, female