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. 6671Murder · Co. Dublin · 25 Jul 2020

Man on trial for murder of pensioner Peter McDonald in Clonsilla, Dublin

On July 25th, 2020, Peter McDonald, a 73-year-old pensioner, was found dead in a pool of blood outside his home on Whitechapel Road, Clonsilla, Dublin 15, after being attacked with a machete. Gardaí arrested his next-door neighbour, Patrick McDonagh, 52, who is charged with his murder. At arraignment McDonagh pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, and the DPP did not accept that plea, so a jury was sworn in. The trial opened at the Central Criminal Court in January 2024 before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath and is continuing, with evidence expected to run for up to two weeks.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court24 Jan
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Peter McDonald, 73, was found dead outside his home in a pool of blood after being attacked with a machete.
Where
The killing took place on Whitechapel Road, Clonsilla, Dublin 15.
When
Mr McDonald was killed in the early hours of July 25th, 2020, and gardaí found his body face down in his driveway shortly after 6am.
Cause
The prosecution says Mr McDonald died from machete and stab wounds to the head and neck.
Weapon
Gardaí seized a bloodstained machete and a knife from McDonagh's home.
Investigation
  • Mr McDonald rang gardaí at 4.20am, and they attended his home for about 15 minutes, leaving just before 5.50am.
  • Forensic analysis found blood staining indicating an assault on a person who was bleeding heavily, and DNA from the staining matched Mr McDonald.
  • After a stand-off in which a detective sprinkled holy water on himself and other gardaí, armed gardaí entered the house after about 20 minutes and arrested McDonagh.
Other details
  • McDonagh had a history of mental health issues and had been Mr McDonald's next-door neighbour for five or six years.
  • The prosecution says the accused intended to kill or cause serious injury, and the key jury issue is whether his mental health amounted to diminished responsibility.
Charges
Patrick McDonagh, 52, is charged with murdering his next-door neighbour Peter McDonald on Whitechapel Road on July 25th, 2020.
In court
  • At arraignment McDonagh pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, and the DPP did not accept the manslaughter plea.
  • A jury of nine men and three women was sworn in, and the trial before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath at the Central Criminal Court is expected to last up to two weeks.
25 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatPeter McDonald was found dead outside his home in a pool of blood after being killed with a machete. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe killing took place on Whitechapel Road, Clonsilla, Dublin 15. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereMr McDonald was found in a pool of blood outside his home after being attacked by his neighbour. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenPeter McDonald was killed in the early hours of July 25th, 2020. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenMr McDonald's body was found lying face down in his driveway by gardaí shortly after 6am on July 25th, 2020. (irishtimes.com)
  • causePeter McDonald died from machete and stabbing wounds to the head and neck. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe prosecution says Mr McDonald died from machete and stab wounds to the head and neck in the early hours of July 25th, 2020. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponGardaí seized a bloodstained machete and a knife from McDonagh's home. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponThe victim was attacked with a machete. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationPeter McDonald rang gardaí at 4.20am and they attended his home for around 15 minutes, leaving just before 5.50am. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationForensic analysis found blood staining that indicated an assault on a person who was bleeding heavily. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationDNA profiles generated from blood staining matched Mr McDonald. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargePatrick McDonagh is charged with murdering his next-door neighbour Peter McDonald. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargePatrick McDonagh is charged with murdering his next-door neighbour Peter McDonald on Whitechapel Road on July 25th, 2020. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtAt arraignment McDonagh pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe DPP did not accept the manslaughter plea and a jury was sworn in to hear the trial. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial is before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath and a jury of nine men and three women, and is expected to last up to two weeks. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMcDonagh has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, and the State has not accepted the manslaughter plea. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe key issue for the jury is expected to be whether McDonagh's mental health on the night amounted to diminished responsibility. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe trial at the Central Criminal Court continues before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath and a jury. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe prosecution says the accused intended to kill or cause serious injury. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe main issue for the jury is whether McDonagh's mental health amounted to diminished responsibility. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMcDonagh had a history of mental health issues and had been Mr McDonald's next-door neighbour for five or six years. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherDuring a stand-off, a detective sprinkled himself and other gardaí with holy water that McDonagh had handed out through the letterbox. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherAfter about 20 minutes without conversation, armed gardaí entered the house, subdued McDonagh and arrested him. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 26 Jan2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Detective sprinkled himself with holy water to prove to murder accused he was not the devil

    Trial report covering the opening evidence: forensic blood-staining and DNA evidence, the cause of death, the accused's mental health and the planned diminished responsibility defence, and the stand-off with armed gardaí during which a detective sprinkled holy water on himself and other officers.

    accused, Patrick McDonagh, 52, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick McDonaghvictim, Peter McDonald, 73, male, irish (judged from name)Peter McDonald
  2. 24 Jan2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Court to hear ‘distressing evidence’ in trial over killing of ‘gentleman’ pensioner with machete

    Article covers the opening of the murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, including the prosecution's opening speech and witness evidence. The DPP did not accept the manslaughter plea and a jury was sworn in.

    accused, Patrick McDonagh, 52, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick McDonaghvictim, Peter McDonald, 73, male, irish (judged from name)Peter McDonald