Ireland Man pleads guilty to endangerment, assault and knife possession over Ballyshannon service station incident
On 6 May 2023 Charlie McDonagh, 43, was charged over an assault on Patrick Joseph Ward, causing him harm, with a knife at TJ Hughes Service Station in Cloghore, Ballyshannon, County Donegal, and was also charged with endangerment by driving into the rear of Ward's vehicle. On 24 February 2025 Donegal District Court sent him forward for trial, and he was released on bail with conditions barring contact with Ward and keeping him out of Ballyshannon. In April 2025, reported on 9 April, he pleaded guilty at Donegal Circuit Court to endangerment, assault causing harm and possession of a knife in a public place. Judge John Aylmer ordered a probation report on his suitability for community service and adjourned the case, and no sentence has been reported yet.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court25 Feb
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Charlie McDonagh, aged 43, is the accused, and Patrick Joseph Ward is the victim.
- Where
- The incident took place at TJ Hughes Service Station in Cloghore, Ballyshannon, County Donegal.
- When
- The incident took place on 6 May 2023.
- Weapon
- The weapon was a knife.
- Charges
- McDonagh was charged with assaulting Ward and causing him harm.
- McDonagh was charged with possessing a knife intended to unlawfully assault Ward.
- McDonagh was charged with endangerment by driving a VW Golf with false plates into the rear of Ward's vehicle; one report calls the driving charge dangerous driving at Straddle Service Station, Cloghore, while another describes it as driving that could have caused death or serious harm.
- In court
- On 24 February 2025 Donegal District Court sent McDonagh forward for trial, with the Director of Public Prosecutions consenting, to Donegal Circuit Court in Letterkenny.
- McDonagh pleaded guilty at Donegal Circuit Court to endangerment, assault causing harm and possessing a knife in a public place, as reported on 9 April 2025.
- Judge John Aylmer ordered a probation report on McDonagh's suitability for community service and adjourned the case to the next session of Donegal Circuit Court.
- Sentence
- No sentence has been reported yet.
- Other details
- McDonagh was released on High Court bail of 10,000 euro own bond and a further 10,000 euro independent surety.
- As bail conditions, McDonagh must have no contact with the victim or any witnesses and must stay out of Ballyshannon.
- Judge Sandra Murphy granted legal aid to Morgan Coleman Solicitors and one junior counsel.
19 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe incident took place at TJ Hughes Service Station in Cloghore, Ballyshannon, County Donegal. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe incident took place on 6 May 2023. (donegallive.ie)
- weaponThe weapon was a knife. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeMcDonagh is charged with assaulting Patrick Joseph Ward, causing him harm, at TJ Hughes Service Station in Cloghore, Ballyshannon, on 6 May 2023. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeMcDonagh is charged with dangerous driving at Straddle Service Station, Cloghore, Ballyshannon, on 6 May 2023. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeMcDonagh is charged with possessing a knife intended to unlawfully assault Patrick Joseph Ward on 6 May 2023. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeMcDonagh pleaded guilty to endangerment by driving a VW Golf with false plates into the rear of a vehicle driven by Patrick Joseph Ward. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeMcDonagh pleaded guilty to assaulting Patrick Joseph Ward and causing him harm. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeMcDonagh pleaded guilty to possessing a knife in a public place intended to cause injury, incapacitate or intimidate another person. (donegallive.ie)
- courtCharlie McDonagh was before Donegal District Court on Monday, 24 February 2025. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe Director of Public Prosecutions consented to McDonagh being sent forward for trial. (donegallive.ie)
- courtMcDonagh is to be sent to the next sitting of Donegal Circuit Court in Letterkenny, starting 7 April. (donegallive.ie)
- courtMcDonagh appeared at Donegal Circuit Court to plead guilty to three charges. (donegallive.ie)
- courtJudge John Aylmer ordered a probation report on McDonagh's suitability for community service. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe case was adjourned to the next session of Donegal Circuit Court. (donegallive.ie)
- otherMcDonagh was released on High Court bail of €10,000 own bond and a further €10,000 independent surety. (donegallive.ie)
- otherJudge Sandra Murphy granted legal aid to Morgan Coleman Solicitors and one junior counsel. (donegallive.ie)
- otherMcDonagh was previously released on bail of €10,000 own bond and a further €10,000 independent surety. (donegallive.ie)
- otherAs a bail condition, McDonagh was ordered to have no contact with the victim or any witnesses and to stay out of Ballyshannon. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 9 Apr2025Man pleads guilty to endangerment, assault and knife possession at service station
Different accused, date and weapon from case 11811 (Derek McDonagh, 5 May 2023, pickaxe handle and corrosive liquid), so not the same case. Article reports a guilty plea in April 2025, with sentencing pending after a probation report.
accused, Charlie McDonagh, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Charlie McDonaghvictim, Patrick Joseph Ward, irish (judged from name)Patrick Joseph Ward - 25 Feb2025Man to face trial for alleged driving which created risk of death or harm
Reports that McDonagh was before Donegal District Court on 24 February 2025 and was sent forward for trial, with the DPP's consent, to Donegal Circuit Court in Letterkenny from 7 April. Adds the driving charge at Straddle Service Station, the bail terms and the legal aid order.
accused, Charlie McDonagh, 43, male, named, irish (judged from name)Charlie McDonaghvictim, Patrick Joseph Ward, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick Joseph Ward