Wednesday 28 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. 6183Assault causing harm; dangerous driving · Co. Donegal · 31 Mar 2024

Man charged with assault and dangerous driving after incident at An Grianán of Aileach, Co Donegal

On the evening of Sunday 31 March 2024, at about 10pm, a woman in her 30s was allegedly driven at and hit by a man in his 30s at An Grianán of Aileach, near Burt, Co Donegal, and was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A man in his 30s was arrested a short time later and detained at a Garda station in Donegal. He was charged in connection with the incident and appeared at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court on Tuesday 2 April 2024, facing five charges including assault causing harm and dangerous driving. Judge Ciaran Liddy granted him bail on conditions, including not interfering with witnesses and staying away from the alleged victim's home and workplace, despite Garda objection.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Charged31 Mar
  4. In court2 Apr
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Gardaí are investigating an alleged assault and endangerment incident involving a woman in her 30s and a man in his 30s.
  • The woman was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
  • The man is alleged to have driven his car at and hit the woman, with whom he was in a relationship described as tumultuous.
  • He is alleged to have reversed back to the woman, pulled her hair, kicked her and struck her face several times.
Where
The incident happened at An Grianán of Aileach near Burt, Co Donegal; the Irish Times places it at the fort at Carrowreagh, Burnfoot.
When
The incident happened on the evening of Sunday 31 March 2024 at about 10pm.
Investigation
  • A man in his 30s was arrested a short time later and detained at a Garda station in Donegal under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.
  • Gardaí are appealing for witnesses, including anyone who saw a red Kia Sportage in the area, and for road users with camera or dash-cam footage.
  • A witness who was camping nearby observed the incident between the couple.
Charges
The man was charged in connection with the incident and faces five charges, including Section 3 assault causing harm, dangerous driving, refusing to give a sample, threatening or abusive behaviour, and breaching a Protection Order.
In court
  • The man appeared before Judge Ciaran Liddy at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court on Tuesday 2 April 2024.
  • Gardaí objected to bail, but Judge Liddy granted the man bail on conditions, including not interfering with witnesses and staying away from the alleged victim's home and workplace.
Other details
  • The defence said the couple had been drinking, had been in a tumultuous relationship that seemed to have flared up, and had gone to the car park for romantic reasons.
  • The woman said she would not feel safe if the accused were granted bail.
  • The accused cannot be named to protect the identity of the alleged victim.
25 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGardaí are investigating an alleged assault and endangerment incident. (garda.ie)
  • whatA woman in her 30s was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. (garda.ie)
  • whatThe man allegedly drove his car at and hit a woman with whom he was in a relationship. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe man allegedly reversed back to the woman and assaulted her by pulling her hair and kicking her. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe man is also accused of striking the woman on the face a number of times. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe incident happened at Grianán of Aileach near Burt, Co Donegal. (garda.ie)
  • whereThe alleged offences took place at An Grianán of Aileach fort at Carrowreagh, Burnfoot. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe incident happened on the evening of Sunday 31 March 2024 at about 10pm. (garda.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offences took place on a Sunday evening, March 31st. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationA man in his 30s was arrested a short time later and detained at a Garda station in Donegal. (garda.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are appealing for witnesses, especially those at Grianán of Aileach on Sunday evening. (garda.ie)
  • investigationGardaí want to hear from anyone who saw a red Kia Sportage in the area. (garda.ie)
  • investigationRoad users with camera or dash-cam footage are asked to give it to Gardaí. (garda.ie)
  • investigationA witness who was camping nearby observed the incident between the couple. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe man contacted gardaí by calling 999. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe man was later charged in connection with the incident. (garda.ie)
  • chargeThe man faces five charges, including Section 3 assault causing harm, dangerous driving, refusing to give a sample, threatening or abusive behaviour, and breaching a Protection Order. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe man was charged to a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court on Tuesday 2 April 2024. (garda.ie)
  • courtThe man appeared before Judge Ciaran Liddy at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court on a Tuesday. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceJudge Liddy granted the man bail on conditions, including not interfering with witnesses and staying away from the alleged victim's home and workplace. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherGardaí objected to bail in the case. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe defence said the couple had been in a tumultuous relationship that seemed to have flared up. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe defence said the pair had been drinking and went to the car park for romantic reasons. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe woman said she would not feel safe if the accused were granted bail. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe accused cannot be named to protect the identity of the alleged victim. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 2 Apr2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Man in ‘tumultuous’ relationship with woman charged with assulting her during ‘romantic’ meeting in car park

    First report of the charges and bail hearing. Gives the court date, the five charges, the bail conditions, and details of the alleged assault and the witness account.

    accused, 30s, malevictim, female
  2. 31 Mar2024
    Chargedgarda.ie, follow-up
    Witness appeal - Assault and Endangerment Incident Co. Donegal 31st March 2024

    Garda press release confirming the charge, the special sitting of Letterkenny District Court on 2 April 2024, the arrest under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, and the Kia Sportage sought as a witness appeal. It also asks road users for camera and dash-cam footage.

    victim, 30s, femaleaccused, 30s, male