Saturday 31 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. 19521Assault · Co. Donegal · 26 Jun 2022

Man charged over head-butting in Buncrana bar appears in court

Jason McClay was charged with assault causing harm after an incident at The Lieu's Bar in Buncrana, County Donegal, on June 26th, 2022, in which the victim, Thomas McGowan, said he was head-butted twice following an alleged remark about McClay's girlfriend. Gardaí said CCTV footage of the incident exists. McClay appeared before Buncrana District Court, which sat in Letterkenny courthouse, in October 2023, where the judge said she wanted a Probation and Welfare Report and may have to record a conviction. The court was told the victim suffered no lasting injuries. The case was adjourned until January 11, 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court12 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Thomas McGowan said he was head-butted twice by Jason McClay.
Where
The incident happened at The Lieu's Bar in Buncrana, County Donegal.
When
The incident happened on June 26th, 2022.
Cause
The assault followed an alleged remark about McClay's girlfriend.
Investigation
Gardaí said CCTV footage of the incident exists.
Charges
McClay was charged with assault causing harm.
In court
  • McClay appeared at Buncrana District Court, which sat in Letterkenny courthouse, in October 2023.
  • The judge said she wanted a Probation and Welfare Report and may have to record a conviction.
  • The case was adjourned until January 11, 2024.
Sentence
No sentence has been imposed, as the case was adjourned.
Other details
  • The court was told the victim did not suffer any lasting injuries.
  • McClay has previous convictions for public order and road traffic offences, which the defence said were old.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe victim said he was head-butted twice. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe assault happened at The Lieu's Bar in Buncrana. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe assault happened on June 26th, 2022. (donegallive.ie)
  • causeThe assault followed an alleged remark about the accused's girlfriend. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí said CCTV footage of the incident exists. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe accused was charged with assault causing harm. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe accused appeared at Buncrana District Court, which sat in Letterkenny courthouse. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe judge said she wanted a Probation and Welfare Report and may have to record a conviction. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned until January 11, 2024. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe court was told the victim did not suffer any lasting injuries. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe accused had previous convictions for public order and road traffic offences, which the defence said were old. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 Oct2023
    In courtdonegallive.ie, first report
    Man in court after head-butting man who made remark about his girlfriend

    Reports a court appearance for an assault in a Buncrana bar in June 2022. The case was heard at Buncrana District Court, sitting in Letterkenny, and was adjourned to January 11, 2024 for a Probation and Welfare Report.

    accused, Jason McClay, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jason McClayvictim, Thomas McGowan, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas McGowan