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. 12337Criminal damage · Co. Leitrim

Man given suspended sentence for damaging Garda's private car

Mark Gannon, 38, was given a six-month sentence suspended for 18 months at Carrick on Shannon District Court after placing a gas cylinder on the bonnet of a Garda's private car, causing more than €1,500 in damage. He pleaded guilty to criminal damage and public order offences, and the judge described the act as serious and sinister.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced22 Oct
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
19 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMark Gannon was given a six-month suspended sentence. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • whatGannon placed a gas cylinder on the bonnet of a Garda's private car. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • whereThe sentencing took place at Carrick on Shannon District Court. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • whereGannon ran with the gas cylinder towards Ballinamore Garda Station. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • whenThe sentence was handed down on 21 October 2025. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • whenThe offences arose from incidents in February 2023. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • investigationCCTV footage captured Gannon picking up a beer keg and later a gas cylinder. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • investigationGannon admitted on questioning that he was the person on the CCTV. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • chargeGannon was charged with criminal damage and public order offences. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • courtThe judge described the incident as serious and sinister in the extreme. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • courtThe judge warned that a further conviction would result in the suspended sentence being imposed. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • sentenceGannon was convicted of criminal damage and sentenced to six months' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • sentenceThe suspension was conditional on Gannon entering a €200 own bond and remaining of good behaviour. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • otherThe car was damaged with dents and scratches to the paintwork. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • otherThe total cost of repairs was €1,594. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • otherGannon offered to pay full compensation and has since paid it. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • otherOn 9 February 2024, gardaí found Gannon lying on the ground in Mohill after reports of an intoxicated male. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • otherGannon was arrested under the Public Order Act for his own safety. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • otherGannon's solicitor said he had 43 previous convictions, mostly for public order and criminal damage. (leitrimobserver.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 Oct2025
    Sentencedleitrimobserver.ie, first report
    Six-month sentence suspended for man who damaged Garda’s car

    Sentencing report for criminal damage to a Garda's private car in Ballinamore and public order offences. The article dates the offences to February 2023 but also describes a separate 9 February 2024 incident in Mohill, which is not dated in the other facts.

    convicted, Mark Gannon, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Mark Gannonvictim, Damien Guckian, irish (judged from name)Damien Guckian