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. 14713Assault causing harm · Co. Louth · 7 Jun 2023

Man jailed for unprovoked stabbing in Dundalk

On 7 June 2023 at Castleross, Dundalk, County Louth, Oisin Quinn McDonagh ran across a green area and stabbed a 36-year-old man in the chest with a large kitchen knife in what was reported as an unprovoked attack. McDonagh was identified from CCTV footage and pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at Dundalk Circuit Court. The sentence is reported as two and a half years in one account, while the judge's order is given as three years and three months with the final nine months suspended, backdated to 9 July 2023. The latest development is the sentencing, reported on 4 February 2025.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced4 Feb
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Oisin Quinn McDonagh, 23 at sentencing, ran across a green area and stabbed a 36-year-old man in the chest.
Where
The stabbing took place at Castleross, Dundalk, County Louth.
When
The attack happened on 7 June 2023.
Cause
The reason for the attack is not known.
Weapon
The attacker used a large kitchen knife.
Investigation
  • CCTV footage showed the victim unloading his car and the attacker running off towards the Maxol garage on Castletown Road.
  • The defendant was identified from CCTV footage showing him removing his face mask and discarding a knife and jacket.
Charges
McDonagh was charged with assault causing harm and pleaded guilty.
In court
The case was heard at Dundalk Circuit Court.
Sentence
One report gives the sentence as two and a half years, while the judge's order is given as three years and three months with the final nine months suspended, backdated to 9 July 2023.
Other details
  • The victim was treated at the scene by paramedics, taken to hospital, had emergency surgery, and was discharged six days later.
  • The victim did not make a statement of complaint or a victim impact statement.
  • The judge said the consequences of the assault could have been more severe and could have been dealt with at the Central Criminal Court.
  • The defendant has had mental health problems since a young age.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe defendant ran across a green area and stabbed the victim in the chest. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whereThe stabbing took place at Castleross, Dundalk, County Louth. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whenThe attack happened on 7 June 2023. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • causeThe reason for the attack is not known. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • weaponThe attacker used a large kitchen knife. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • investigationThe defendant was identified from CCTV footage that showed him removing his face mask and discarding a knife and jacket. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeThe defendant pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Dundalk Circuit Court. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge sentenced him to three years and three months with the final nine months suspended, backdated to 9 July 2023. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe victim was treated at the scene by paramedics and taken to hospital, where he had emergency surgery. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe victim was discharged from hospital six days later. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe victim did not make a statement of complaint or a victim impact statement. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe judge said the consequences of the assault could have been more severe and could have been dealt with at the Central Criminal Court. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherThe defendant has had mental health problems since a young age. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 4 Feb2025
    Sentenceddundalkdemocrat.ie, first report
    Man stabbed in unprovoked attack while unloading his car in Dundalk

    Court report on sentencing. The summary gives a sentence of two and a half years, while the judge's order is given as three years and three months with the final nine months suspended, backdated to 9 July 2023. No existing case matches this 2023 incident.

    convicted, Oisin Quinn McDonagh, 23, male, named, irish (judged from name)Oisin Quinn McDonaghvictim, 36, male