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. 14146Dangerous driving (reckless conduct with a vehicle), assault causing harm, threat to kill · Co. Donegal · 31 Mar 2024

Man accused of driving car into woman at An Grianán of Aileach back in court

A man in his 40s from the Inishowen area is accused of driving a car at a woman and colliding with her, and of pulling her up by the hair and hitting her, at An Grianán of Aileach fort in County Donegal on Easter Sunday, 31 March 2024. The woman's age is not given, and the accused cannot be named to protect her identity because the case has a domestic violence aspect. He has been charged with three offences under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997, and a book of evidence was served on him at Buncrana courthouse on 25 March 2025. The DPP has consented to the case going forward to Letterkenny Circuit Court, and the latest development is that the judge adjourned the case to 10 April 2025 so he could consider a guilty plea on the Circuit Court route.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court25 Mar
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • The man is alleged to have driven a car at the woman and collided with her.
  • The man is alleged to have pulled the woman up by the hair and hit her.
Where
The alleged incident took place in a car park close to the monument at An Grianán of Aileach fort, County Donegal.
When
The incident occurred on Easter Sunday, 31 March 2024.
Cause
The woman had left the car after a verbal row.
Investigation
  • An independent witness who was camping at the fort alerted gardaí by a 999 call.
  • A book of evidence was served on the accused man at Buncrana courthouse on 25 March 2025.
Charges
  • The man is charged with intentionally or recklessly engaging in conduct that created a substantial risk of death or serious harm, contrary to section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.
  • The man is charged with assaulting the woman and causing her harm, contrary to section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.
  • The man is charged with making a threat to kill or cause serious harm to the woman, contrary to section 5 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.
In court
  • The DPP has consented to the accused being sent forward for trial to the next sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court, starting 20 May 2025.
  • The judge adjourned the case to 10 April 2025 so the accused could consider a guilty plea on the Circuit Court route.
Other details
  • According to the defence solicitor, the man and woman had a tumultuous relationship and alcohol was involved.
  • Existing bail conditions include no contact with the injured party, giving gardaí his mobile number, staying out of named locations and signing on weekly at Buncrana Garda Station.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe man is alleged to have driven a car at the woman and collided with her. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatThe man is alleged to have pulled the woman up by the hair and hit her. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe incident happened at An Grianán of Aileach fort. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe alleged incident was in a car park close to the monument. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred on Easter Sunday 2024. (donegallive.ie)
  • causeThe woman had left the car after a verbal row. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationAn independent witness who was camping at the fort alerted gardaí by a 999 call. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationA book of evidence was served on the accused man at Buncrana courthouse on 25 March 2025. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe man is charged with intentionally or recklessly engaging in conduct that created a substantial risk of death or serious harm, contrary to section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe man is charged with assaulting the woman and causing her harm, contrary to section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe man is charged with making a threat to kill or cause serious harm to the woman, contrary to section 5 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe DPP has consented to the accused being sent forward for trial to the next sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court, starting 20 May 2025. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe judge adjourned the case to 10 April 2025 so the accused could consider a guilty plea on the Circuit Court route. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe man and woman had a tumultuous relationship and alcohol was involved, according to the defence solicitor. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherExisting bail conditions include no contact with the injured party, giving gardaí his mobile number, staying out of named locations and signing on weekly at Buncrana Garda Station. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Mar2025
    In courtdonegallive.ie, first report
    Man (40s) accused of driving car into woman at An Grianán of Aileach back in court

    First article on this case in the list. Reports the book of evidence, the charges, the referral to Letterkenny Circuit Court and the adjournment to 10 April 2025.

    accused, 40s, malevictim, female