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. 9356Criminal damage · Co. Donegal · 27 May 2026

Man charged over €8,850 criminal damage at Letterkenny hospital site

Matthew Gallagher, a 26-year-old of no fixed abode, is alleged to have caused €8,850 worth of damage on 27 May 2026 at the Boyle Construction site on Kilmacrennan Road, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, where 24 windows, three glass doors, eight toilets and cisterns and three porcelain sinks were damaged at a new hospital. CCTV was viewed and he was identified as the suspect, and he was arrested on 28 May 2026 and charged at 6.48pm with criminal damage, having nunchucks in his custody intending to damage property, and possessing €120 worth of cannabis. On Friday 29 May 2026 he appeared before a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court, where gardaí objected to bail and the judge found a risk of reoffending if bail were granted. He was remanded in custody and ordered to be assessed by a medical practitioner.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court29 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Matthew Gallagher, 26, of no fixed abode, was charged with causing criminal damage worth €8,850 to a new hospital in Letterkenny.
  • A total of 24 windows, three glass doors, eight toilets and cisterns and three porcelain sinks were damaged.
Where
The damage occurred at the Boyle Construction site on Kilmacrennan Road, Letterkenny, County Donegal.
When
The damage occurred on 27 May 2026.
Weapon
The weapon involved was aluminium Playwell Martial Arts nunchucks.
Investigation
  • CCTV was viewed and the accused was identified as the suspect.
  • Sources give two accounts of the 28 May 2026 arrest at 6.46pm: one says it was for the purpose of charge, the other says it was for criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon after he struck a parked van outside Letterkenny Garda Station.
Charges
  • Gallagher was charged at 6.48pm on 28 May 2026 and made no reply.
  • He is charged with criminal damage under Section 2(1) of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991.
  • He is charged with having nunchucks in his custody intending to damage property.
  • He is charged with possessing €120 worth of cannabis.
In court
  • On Friday 29 May 2026 he was brought before a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court, where gardaí objected to bail due to the strength of the evidence and the seriousness of the charges.
  • The judge found a risk of reoffending if bail was granted.
Sentence
Gallagher was remanded in custody and ordered to be assessed by a medical practitioner.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man was charged with causing nearly €9,000 worth of damage to a new hospital in Letterkenny. (donegallive.ie)
  • what24 windows, three glass doors, eight toilets and cisterns and three porcelain sinks were damaged. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe damage occurred at the Boyle Construction site on Kilmacrennan Road, Letterkenny. (donegallive.ie)
  • weaponThe weapon involved was aluminium Playwell Martial Arts nunchucks. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationCCTV was viewed and the accused was identified as the suspect. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationGallagher was arrested at 6.46pm on May 28, 2026 for the purpose of charge. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationGallagher was arrested for criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon after striking a parked van outside Letterkenny Garda Station. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeGallagher was charged at 6.48pm and made no reply. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeGallagher faces a charge of criminal damage under Section 2 (1) of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeGallagher is charged with having nunchucks in his custody intending to damage property. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeGallagher is charged with possessing €120 worth of cannabis. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtGallagher was brought before a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtGardaí objected to bail due to the strength of the evidence and the seriousness of the charges. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe judge found a risk of reoffending if bail was granted. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceGallagher was remanded in custody and ordered to be assessed by a medical practitioner. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 29 May2026
    In courtdonegallive.ie, first report
    Man charged with causing almost €9,000 worth of damage to new hospital in Letterkenny

    Reports the charges, the alleged damage at the Boyle Construction site, related charges of possessing nunchucks and cannabis, and the court appearance where bail was refused and Gallagher was remanded in custody.

    accused, Matthew Gallagher, 26, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Gallagher