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. 9739Arson · Co. Donegal · 29 Aug 2024

Man pleads guilty to arson at St Johnston religious building

A series of arson attacks on buildings in St Johnston, County Donegal, is alleged to have happened on the same night, 29 August 2024. Ryan McCrabbe, 28, of McCann's Corner, St Johnston, faces three charges, including arson at St Baithins Church. On 5 May 2026 he appeared before Letterkenny Circuit Court and pleaded guilty to one charge on a without prejudice basis, though one report says he pleaded guilty to the charges. The judge sought medical, psychiatric and probation and welfare reports and adjourned the case to the October sessions of the Circuit Court, where no sentence has yet been imposed.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court5 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Ryan McCrabbe, 28, of McCann's Corner, St Johnston, is charged over a series of arson attacks on buildings in St Johnston.
Where
The attacks targeted buildings in St Johnston, County Donegal.
When
The offences are alleged to have happened on the same night, 29 August 2024.
Charges
  • He faces three charges, one concerning arson at St Baithins Church, St Johnston.
  • The other charges concern arson at the St Johnston Masonic Hall and the Loyal Orange Hall on Main Street, St Johnston.
  • The charges are contrary to section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991.
In court
  • On 5 May 2026 he appeared before Letterkenny Circuit Court, where he pleaded guilty to one charge on a without prejudice basis.
  • One report says he pleaded guilty to the charges, while others say he pleaded guilty to one of them.
  • The judge allowed for a medical and psychiatric report.
  • The judge sought a probation and welfare report and adjourned the case to the October sessions of the Circuit Court.
Sentence
No sentence has been imposed; the case is adjourned to the October sessions of the Circuit Court.
Other details
  • He is 28 and has no previous convictions.
  • Defence counsel said he had been on dialysis three times a week for seven years at the time of the incident.
  • Nursing staff noticed a marked change in his behaviour in the week before the incident, and he was admitted overnight to a psychiatric facility.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe charges concern a series of arson attacks on buildings in St Johnston. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe offences are alleged to have happened on 29 August 2024. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe accused faces three charges. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeOne charge concerns arson at the St Johnston Masonic Hall. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeOne charge concerns arson at the Loyal Orange Hall on Main Street, St Johnston. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeOne charge concerns arson at St Baithins Church, St Johnston. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe charges are contrary to section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe accused pleaded guilty to one of the charges on a without prejudice basis. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe judge allowed for a medical and psychiatric report. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe judge sought a probation and welfare report and adjourned the case to the October sessions of the Circuit Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe accused is 28 and has no previous convictions. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherDefence counsel said the accused had been on dialysis for seven years, three times a week, at the time of the incident. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherNursing staff had noticed a marked change in the accused's behaviour in the week before the incident, and he had been admitted overnight to a psychiatric facility. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 5 May2026
    In courtdonegallive.ie, first report
    Man pleads guilty to arson attack on religious building in St Johnston

    First report of this case in the existing list. Adds the guilty plea on one of three arson charges, the charge details, and the adjournment for reports to the October Circuit Court sessions.

    accused, Ryan McCrabbe, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ryan McCrabbe