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. 13452Threats to kill · Co. Offaly · 11 Jun 2025

Man accused of threatening to kill father and brother in Birr, Offaly

Thomas McDonagh (38) of 26 Presentation Place, Birr, Co Offaly, is accused of threatening to kill or cause serious harm to his brother Patrick McDonagh at his home on 11 June 2025, and one report says he also threatened his father and nephew. Gardaí were called to the address at 9.10pm, and an armed response unit was needed to arrest him, with knives and a wheel brace found at the scene. He was charged at Birr Garda Station, where he replied that he was not guilty. At a bail hearing before Portlaoise District Court he was remanded in custody with consent to bail on conditions, and the case was adjourned to Tullamore District Court on 18 June.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court13 Jun
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
It is alleged he threatened to stab his father and brother and slit their throats, though one report mentions only threats against his brother.
When
  • The threats are alleged to have been made on 11 June 2025.
  • Gardaí were called to the address at 9.10pm on 11 June 2025.
Where
The accused lives at 26 Presentation Place, Birr, Co Offaly.
Weapon
  • A knife was found in the pocket of his tracksuit pants, and two knives were found within arm's reach in a caravan.
  • A wheel brace and tow eye were found by responding officers.
Other details
  • He retreated into a caravan beside the house when gardaí arrived.
  • He later admitted making the threats but said he did not mean them, and he alleges he was assaulted by his brother and nephew before gardaí arrived.
Investigation
  • Gardaí had to wait for an armed response unit to arrive to assist with his arrest.
  • The investigation is expected to take months to complete.
Charges
  • He is charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to his brother Patrick McDonagh at his address, and is also accused of making threats against his nephew.
  • When charged at Birr Garda Station, he replied that he was not guilty.
In court
  • Gardaí objected to bail, saying they had serious concern he would contact the injured parties if bailed.
  • He was remanded in custody with consent to bail on conditions, to appear at Tullamore District Court on 18 June, with the judge saying conditions could include no contact with the three Patrick McDonaghs and staying out of Offaly.
26 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatIt is alleged he threatened to stab his father and brother and slit their throats. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe accused lives in Birr, County Offaly. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe accused lives at 26 Presentation Place, Birr, Co Offaly. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe threats were made on 11 June 2025. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenGardaí were called to the address at 9.10pm on 11 June. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • weaponA knife was found in the pocket of the accused's tracksuit pants. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • weaponTwo knives were found within arm's reach in a caravan. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • weaponA wheel brace and tow eye were found by responding officers. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • weaponA knife was in the pocket of his tracksuit pants. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • weaponTwo knives were found within arm's reach in the caravan. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí had to wait for an armed response unit to assist them. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe investigation is expected to take months to complete. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí had to wait for an armed response unit to arrive. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe accused is accused of threatening to kill or cause serious harm to his brother Patrick McDonagh. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeWhen charged at Birr Garda Station, he replied that he was not guilty. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to his brother Patrick McDonagh at his address. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe is also accused of making threats against his nephew. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtGardaí said they had serious concern that he would contact the injured parties if bailed. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe accused was remanded in custody with consent to bail on conditions, to appear at Tullamore District Court on 18 June. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge said bail could be granted on conditions including no contact with the three Patrick McDonaghs and staying out of Offaly. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe accused retreated into a caravan beside the house when gardaí arrived. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe accused later admitted making the threats but said he did not mean them. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherHe pleaded not guilty when charged at Birr Garda Station. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe accused had retreated into a caravan beside the house when gardaí arrived. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe accused alleges he was assaulted by his brother and nephew before gardaí arrived. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defence said the investigation will likely take months to complete. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 Jun2025
    In courtoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Armed gardaí called to arrest Offaly man accused of threating to kill his father and brother

    Adds the court appearance at Portlaoise District Court, the bail objection, the accused's name and age, the alleged threats against father and nephew, and details of the arrest, including the armed response unit and the knives found.

    accused, Thomas McDonagh, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Thomas McDonaghvictim, Patrick McDonagh, irish (judged from name)Patrick McDonaghvictim, Patrick McDonagh, irish (judged from name)Patrick McDonaghvictim, Patrick McDonagh, irish (judged from name)Patrick McDonagh
  2. 13 Jun2025
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, follow-up
    Laois court told armed gardaí called to arrest man accused of threats to kill

    Adds the bail hearing details: the armed response unit, the knives and wheel brace found, the alleged threats against his father and nephew, the no-contact and stay-out-of-Offaly conditions, legal aid, and the adjournment to Tullamore District Court on 18 June.

    accused, Thomas McDonagh, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Thomas McDonaghvictim, Patrick McDonagh, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick McDonaghvictim, Patrick McDonagh, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick McDonaghvictim, Patrick McDonagh, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick McDonagh