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. 7776Assault and possession of articles capable of inflicting serious injury · Co. Donegal · 16 Apr 2021

Man charged after alleged chainsaw threat to gardaí at Culdaff home, Donegal

Matthew Smyth, a 27-year-old man, was reported to have threatened gardaí with a chainsaw and a broken fence post at his home at Dunross, Culdaff, Co Donegal, on April 16, 2021, after gardaí were called to a domestic dispute in which his father had allegedly been punched and threatened with a broken pint glass. He was arrested and later detained under Section 12 of the Mental Health Act, and he was charged with offences including assault on Christopher Smyth. He appeared at Letterkenny District Court, where he was told he has no previous convictions. The latest development is that Judge Eiteain Cunningham adjourned the case until September 4 to allow time to read the probation report.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court26 Jul
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A man allegedly threatened gardaí with a chainsaw when they called to his home during a domestic dispute.
Where
The incident took place at the accused's home at Dunross, Culdaff, Co Donegal.
When
Gardaí arrived at the scene at 7.12am on April 16, 2021.
Cause
Gardaí went to the home after the accused's father was allegedly punched and threatened with a broken pint glass.
Weapon
  • The man was allegedly waving a chainsaw at gardaí when they tried to enter the house.
  • He also allegedly produced a broken fence post and threatened gardaí with it.
Investigation
  • Gardaí spoke to the man, who eventually put the chainsaw down.
  • He was arrested and later detained under Section 12 of the Mental Health Act and received treatment and assistance.
Charges
  • He is charged with assaulting Christopher Smyth on April 16, 2021, contrary to Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.
  • He is charged with appearing to be about to commit an offence with a chainsaw with motor and blades running, contrary to Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990.
  • He is charged with intimidating another person by producing a broken half pint glass during an assault.
  • He is charged with appearing to be about to commit an assault in a dispute with a fencing post.
In court
  • Matthew Smyth appeared at Letterkenny District Court charged with a number of offences, and the court was told he has no previous convictions of any kind.
  • Judge Eiteain Cunningham adjourned the case until September 4 to allow time to read the probation report in full.
Other details
Sergeant Collins said he understood there was no chain in the chainsaw at the time.
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man allegedly threatened gardaí with a chainsaw when they called to his home during a domestic dispute. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe incident took place at the accused's home at Dunross, Culdaff. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenGardaí arrived at the scene at 7.12am on April 16, 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeGardaí went to the home after the accused's father was punched and threatened with a broken pint glass. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponThe man was allegedly waving a chainsaw at gardaí when they tried to enter the house. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponHe also allegedly produced a broken fence post and threatened gardaí with it. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí spoke to the man, who eventually put the chainsaw down. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe man was arrested and later detained under Section 12 of the Mental Health Act and received treatment and assistance. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with assaulting Christopher Smyth on April 16, 2021, contrary to Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with appearing to be about to commit an offence with a chainsaw with motor and blades running, contrary to Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with intimidating another person by producing a broken half pint glass during an assault. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with appearing to be about to commit an assault in a dispute with a fencing post. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMatthew Smyth appeared at Letterkenny District Court charged with a number of offences. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe court was told the accused has no previous convictions of any kind. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJudge Eiteain Cunningham adjourned the case until September 4th to allow time to read the probation report in full. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherSergeant Collins said he understood there was no chain in the chainsaw at the time. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 26 Jul2023
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Garda threatened with chainsaw after calling to 'domestic' at house in Donegal

    Court report on charges arising from an April 2021 incident; the case was adjourned to 4 September after the probation report was requested.

    accused, Matthew Smyth, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Smythvictim, Christopher Smyth, irish (judged from name)Christopher Smyth