Friday 30 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. 14889Burglary; threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour · Co. Kilkenny

Man jailed for Kilkenny presbytery burglary and threatening behaviour

On July 11, Jason McDonagh of Brother Thomas Place, Kilkenny, entered a presbytery on James's Street in Kilkenny and went through drawers in upstairs bedrooms, though nothing was taken. He was later charged with threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour on August 23, 2024, at Parnell Street, after reportedly telling a social worker he was going to slit their throat. He pleaded guilty to that charge at Kilkenny District Court and was convicted of the burglary. On January 20, 2025, he was sentenced to four months' imprisonment for the burglary, with a concurrent two-month sentence for the threatening behaviour.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced20 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Jason McDonagh entered a presbytery and went through drawers in upstairs bedrooms.
  • Nothing was taken from the presbytery.
  • During a conversation with a social worker, McDonagh said he was going to slit the social worker's throat.
Where
  • The burglary took place at a presbytery on James's Street, Kilkenny.
  • McDonagh is listed as living at 9 Brother Thomas Place, Kilkenny.
When
The burglary happened on July 11.
Investigation
  • Gardaí investigated after a member of the public reported seeing someone entering and exiting the building.
  • McDonagh was investigated for making a threat to kill but was not charged with this offence.
Charges
McDonagh was charged with threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour on August 23, 2024, at Parnell Street.
In court
  • McDonagh pleaded guilty to the threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour charge at Kilkenny District Court.
  • McDonagh was convicted of the burglary charge.
Sentence
McDonagh was sentenced to four months' imprisonment for the burglary, with a concurrent two-month sentence for the threatening behaviour charge.
Other details
  • McDonagh told gardaí he went in looking for food.
  • McDonagh had 15 previous convictions, was homeless at the time of the offences, and his mental health was not good.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe burglar went through drawers in upstairs bedrooms. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatNothing was taken from the presbytery. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatDuring a conversation with a social worker, McDonagh said he was going to slit the social worker's throat. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whereThe burglary took place at a presbytery on James's Street. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whenThe burglary happened on July 11. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationGardaí investigated after a member of the public reported seeing someone entering and exiting the building. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • chargeMcDonagh was charged with threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour on August 23, 2024, at Parnell Street. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • chargeMcDonagh was investigated for making a threat to kill but was not charged with this. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtMcDonagh pleaded guilty to the threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour charge at Kilkenny District Court. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtMcDonagh was convicted of the burglary charge. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentenceMcDonagh was given four months' imprisonment for the burglary. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentenceA concurrent sentence of two months was imposed for the threatening behaviour charge. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherMcDonagh told gardaí he went in looking for food. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherMcDonagh had 15 previous convictions. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherMcDonagh was homeless at the time of the offences and his mental health was not good. (kilkennypeople.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 Jan2025
    Sentencedkilkennypeople.ie, first report
    Kilkenny presbytery burglar jailed

    Court report on the sentencing of Jason McDonagh for a presbytery burglary and a separate threatening-behaviour offence. The Kilkenny man is not the same person as the Limerick hit-and-run accused in case 8092, and the article does not match any existing case.

    convicted, Jason McDonagh, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jason McDonaghvictim