Ireland Man charged over axe carrying and criminal damage in Donegal Town
The alleged incident took place on 9 February 2025 at the Lidl car park in Clarcarricknagun, Donegal Town, where Michael Hayes, a 64-year-old man, is alleged to have carried an axe in an aggressive manner and damaged a rear wiper blade of an MPV. Gardaí arrested Hayes on 5 June and charged him under the Criminal Damage Act 1991 and the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990. He appeared before Judge Éiteáin Cunningham at Ballyshannon District Court, where the judge accepted jurisdiction, ordered disclosure to be sent to him and extended his bail. The latest development is that the matter was adjourned until 2 October at Ballyshannon District Court.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court5 Jun
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Michael Hayes, a 64-year-old man of no fixed abode, is charged over an alleged axe incident and criminal damage.
- Where
- The alleged incident took place at the Lidl car park in Clarcarricknagun, Donegal Town.
- When
- The alleged incidents occurred on 9 February 2025.
- Weapon
- The axe was a three-quarter-sized axe that Hayes was holding.
- Other details
- Hayes said the axe was a work tool he used for chopping wood.
- Inspector Tony Byrne told the court that Hayes approached Garda members in an aggressive manner but dropped the axe, while Hayes denied making any threatening behaviour.
- Investigation
- Gardaí arrested Hayes on 5 June.
- Charges
- Hayes is charged with carrying an axe in an aggressive manner at a Donegal Town supermarket car park.
- Hayes is charged under the Criminal Damage Act 1991 and the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990.
- The criminal damage charge concerns a rear wiper blade of an MPV.
- In court
- Hayes appeared before Judge Éiteáin Cunningham at Ballyshannon District Court.
- The judge accepted jurisdiction for the case to be heard in the District Court.
- The judge ordered disclosure to be sent to Hayes and extended his bail.
- The matter was adjourned until 2 October at Ballyshannon District Court.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe alleged incident took place at Lidl Car Park in Clarcarricknagun, Donegal Town. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe alleged incidents occurred on 9 February 2025. (donegallive.ie)
- weaponThe axe was described by Hayes as a three-quarter-sized axe he was holding. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationGardaí arrested Hayes on 5 June. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeHayes was charged with carrying an axe in an aggressive manner at a Donegal Town supermarket car park. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeHayes was charged under the Criminal Damage Act 1991 and the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeThe criminal damage charge concerns a rear wiper blade of an MPV. (donegallive.ie)
- courtHayes appeared before Judge Éiteáin Cunningham at Ballyshannon District Court. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe judge accepted jurisdiction for the case to be heard in the District Court. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe judge ordered disclosure to be sent to Hayes and extended his bail. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe matter was adjourned until 2 October at Ballyshannon District Court. (donegallive.ie)
- otherHayes said the axe was a work tool he used for chopping wood. (donegallive.ie)
- otherInspector Tony Byrne told the court Hayes approached Garda members in an aggressive manner but dropped the axe. (donegallive.ie)
- otherHayes denied making any threatening behaviour. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 5 Jun2026Man charged with allegedly carrying axe by Donegal Town supermarket
First report of this case. It gives the charges, the defendant's denial of threatening behaviour, the Garda account of the arrest, and the adjournment date.
accused, Michael Hayes, 64, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Hayes