Sunday 1 November 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. 1006Arson · Co. Donegal

Man pleads guilty to one arson charge in St Johnston

Ryan McCrabbe, a man aged 27 (reports differ: 28), of McCann's Corner, St Johnston, was arrested a short distance from the scene after a series of fires at St Baithin's Church, the Loyal Orange Hall and the Masonic Hall in St Johnston, Co Donegal, on the night of 28 August 2024 (some reports give 29 August). He was charged with three attempts to damage properties by fire under Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act 1991 and appeared at Letterkenny District Court on several occasions, where he was remanded in custody, later bailed with conditions, and referred for psychiatric treatment at Letterkenny University Hospital. In September 2025, a book of evidence was served on him and the DPP consented to his trial at Letterkenny Circuit Court. In May 2026, McCrabbe pleaded guilty to one of the three charges on a without prejudice basis, and the case was adjourned for medical and probation reports to the October Circuit Court sessions.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested28 Aug
    3 reports
  3. Charged28 Aug
  4. In court29 Aug
    7 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A series of fires damaged St Baithin's Church, the Loyal Orange Hall on Main Street, and the Masonic Hall on Church Lane in St Johnston.
Where
The incidents occurred in St Johnston, Co Donegal.
When
The incidents occurred on the night of 28 August 2024, though some reports give the date as 29 August 2024.
Investigation
A man in his 20s was arrested a short distance from the scene and detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
Charges
Ryan McCrabbe, a man aged 27 (reports differ: 28), of McCann's Corner, St Johnston, was charged with three attempts to damage properties by fire under Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act 1991.
In court
  • McCrabbe appeared at Letterkenny District Court on multiple occasions, was remanded in custody, later bailed with conditions including a curfew and residence at Cashel Park, and was referred for psychiatric treatment at Letterkenny University Hospital.
  • In September 2025, a book of evidence was served on McCrabbe, the DPP consented to trial at Letterkenny Circuit Court, and free legal aid with junior and senior counsel was granted.
  • In May 2026, McCrabbe pleaded guilty to one of the three charges on a without prejudice basis at Letterkenny Circuit Court, and the case was adjourned for medical and probation reports to the October Circuit Court sessions.
Other details
  • McCrabbe has been on dialysis for seven years, three times a week, and nursing staff noted a marked change in his behaviour in the week before the incident.
  • McCrabbe has no previous convictions.
100 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGardaí received reports of criminal damage to a property in St Johnston at about 9.45pm. (garda.ie)
  • whatA second report of criminal damage was made later that night. (garda.ie, donegallive.ie)
  • whatA man in his 20s was arrested in connection with an arson and criminal damage investigation. (garda.ie)
  • whatA man in his twenties was arrested over a number of incidents of attempted arson and criminal damage to properties in St Johnston. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatSt Baithin's Church, the Masonic Hall and the Orange Hall are understood to have been targeted. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatA man in his 20s was arrested for a number of incidents of attempted arson and criminal damage. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatA series of alleged arson attacks on buildings in St Johnston is the subject of the court case. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe incidents were attempted arson and criminal damage to properties in St Johnston, Co Donegal. (garda.ie)
  • whereThe incident occurred in St. Johnston, Co. Donegal. (garda.ie)
  • whereThe criminal damage was reported at a property in St Johnston. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe incidents were understood to be at St Baithin's Church, the Masonic Hall and the Orange Hall. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereOne charge concerns the Loyal Orange Hall on Main Street, St Johnston. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe attacks were on St Baithin's Church, the Loyal Orange Hall and the Masonic Hall in St Johnston. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereMcCrabbe is from McCann's Corner in St Johnston. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereOne charge concerns St Baithin's Church, St Johnston. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereOne charge concerns the Masonic Hall on Church Lane, St Johnston. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe offences were at St Johnston, Co Donegal. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereMcCrabbe is of McCann's Corner, St Johnston. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe charges concern a series of arson attacks on buildings in St Johnston. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe incidents happened on the night of Wednesday 28 August 2024. (garda.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred on 28 August 2024. (garda.ie)
  • whenGardaí received the first report at about 9.45pm on Wednesday. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenGardaí received reports of criminal damage to a property in St Johnston at about 9.45pm on Wednesday. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe charges state the offences occurred on August 28. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe incidents happened on 28 August. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offences were committed on 28 August 2024. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe charged offences are said to have been committed on August 28. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe three arson charges follow fires at buildings in St Johnston on 29 August 2024. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe offences are alleged to have happened on 29 August 2024. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí in Letterkenny are investigating the circumstances of a number of incidents. (garda.ie)
  • investigationGardaí searched the area after the second report. (garda.ie)
  • investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (garda.ie, donegallive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí searched the area after the reports. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationThe man was arrested a short distance from the scene and taken to a Garda station in the Donegal Division. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationA second report of criminal damage was made later that night, and gardaí searched the area. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí objected to bail at the earlier sitting. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe man has been charged. (garda.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with arson of the Loyal Orange Hall. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHe is also charged with arson of St Baithins Church, St Johnston. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHe is also charged with arson of the St Johnston Masonic Hall. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe charges are contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeMcCrabbe is charged with arson in relation to the Loyal Orange Hall, Main Street, St Johnston. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeMcCrabbe is charged with three attempts to damage properties by fire. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe accused is charged with three attempts to damage properties by fire. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with arson at the Loyal Orange Hall on Main Street, St Johnston, on 29 August 2024. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with arson at St Baithin's Church, St Johnston. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with arson at the Masonic Hall on Church Lane, St Johnston. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with arson at the Royal Orange Hall, Main Street, St Johnston, under Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act 1991. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHe is charged with arson at the St Johnston Masonic Hall, Church Lane, on the same date. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHe is charged with arson at the Loyal Orange Hall, Main Street, St Johnston, on 29 August 2024 under Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act 1991. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with arson at St Baithins Church, St Johnston, on the same date under Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act 1991. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with arson at St Johnston Masonic Hall, Church Lane, St Johnston, on the same date under Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act 1991. (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)
  • courtThe man is scheduled to appear before a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court at 7:30 p.m. on 29 August 2024. (garda.ie)
  • courtA special sitting of Letterkenny District Court was due to take place at 7:30pm. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtRyan McCrabbe appeared at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtA garda sergeant told the court there would be an objection to bail. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe solicitor postponed a bail application at that point. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned to Tuesday, 3 September, by videolink at Letterkenny District Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtMcCrabbe was remanded in custody at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe judge adjourned the matter to a later date for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtA bail application may be made at the next court date. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtMcCrabbe appeared at Letterkenny District Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe judge remanded McCrabbe in custody with consent to bail on his own bond of €200. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe case is adjourned to 7 October 2024. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtGardaí said there was now consent to bail for the accused with conditions. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtBail conditions require him to live at Cashel Park, keep a curfew from 10pm to 7am, and attend all medical appointments. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe court referred the accused to psychiatric treatment at Letterkenny University Hospital. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned to 21 October 2024 for directions from the DPP. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe DPP consented to his trial at the next sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court, commencing 28 October. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtRyan McCrabbe, 28, appeared before Letterkenny District Court where a book of evidence was served on him. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtGarda Gillian Page told the court McCrabbe made no reply when the book was served. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe DPP consented for the accused to go forward for trial to the net sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court commencing on October 28. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtJudge Brendan O'Reilly issued the alibi warning to the accused. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtBoth junior and senior counsel were requested and granted by Judge O'Reilly. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtFree legal aid was granted. (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)
  • otherA man in his 20s was arrested a short distance from the scene. (garda.ie)
  • otherThe man was taken to a Garda station in the Donegal Division. (garda.ie)
  • otherThe man is detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. (garda.ie, donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe accused was receiving dialysis at Letterkenny University Hospital. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherA medical report was prepared on McCrabbe's behalf, and he is currently on dialysis. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherMcCrabbe is ordered to abstain from alcohol and drugs. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherMcCrabbe is to be referred for psychiatric and medical treatment at Letterkenny University Hospital. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherA bed in the psychiatric unit was not yet available. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherMcCrabbe is currently on remand in Castlerea Prison. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe accused was being held on remand in Castlerea Prison. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe accused is undergoing dialysis treatment at the hospital. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe accused made no reply when the book of evidence was served and did not speak during the hearing. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherDefence solicitor Patsy Gallagher noted the client suffers from medical issues and receives weekly treatment. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMcCrabbe was dressed in a sweatshirt and shorts and did not speak during the short hearing. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherSolicitor Mr Patsy Gallagher said there had been consent to bail and that his client suffered from medical issues and received weekly treatment. (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
  2. 17 Sep2025
    In courtdonegallive.ie, follow-up
    Man to stand trial for alleged arson attacks on religious buildings in Donegal

    Details the court hearing where the book of evidence was served, the DPP's consent for trial at Letterkenny Circuit Court (net sitting from 28 October), the alibi warning issued by Judge Brendan O'Reilly, and that free legal aid and both junior and senior counsel were granted.

    accused, Ryan McCrabbe, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ryan McCrabbe
  3. 15 Sep2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Man sent for trial over arson attacks on Co Donegal church, Orange hall and Masonic hall

    Reports the court appearance where McCrabbe was served a book of evidence on three arson charges, the DPP's consent to trial at Letterkenny Circuit Court, the alibi warning, and the granting of legal aid and representation by junior and senior counsel.

    accused, Ryan McCrabbe, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ryan McCrabbe
  4. 2 Oct2024
    In courtdonegallive.ie, follow-up
    Man accused of St Johnston church arson attacks to take up bail

    Adds the 2 October 2024 bail hearing at Letterkenny District Court: consent to bail with conditions, adjournment to 21 October 2024 for DPP directions, and the accused held on remand in Castlerea Prison. The article gives 27 as his age and the existing case says 28. It gives several dates for the offences (26, 28 and 29 August).

    accused, Ryan McCrabbe, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ryan McCrabbe
  5. 25 Sep2024
    In courtdonegallive.ie, follow-up
    Man charged over St Johnston arsons to take up psychiatric treatment

    Court report on the Letterkenny District Court appearance: the article gives the age as 27, the incident date as 28 August 2024, that he is on remand in Castlerea Prison, that he is to be referred for psychiatric treatment, and that the case is adjourned to 7 October 2024.

    accused, Ryan McCrabbe, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ryan McCrabbe
  6. 3 Sep2024
    In courtdonegallive.ie, follow-up
    Further remand for man over attempted arson attacks in St Johnston

    Follow-up court report: McCrabbe was remanded in custody at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court, gardaí objected to bail, the matter was adjourned for DPP directions, and a bail application may be made at the next court date. The article describes the incidents as attempted arson, and says the charges are under Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act 1991.

    accused, Ryan McCrabbe, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ryan McCrabbe
  7. 29 Aug2024
    In courtdonegallive.ie, follow-up
    Man in court following attempted arson and criminal damage in St Johnston

    Court appearance on 29 August 2024 before Letterkenny District Court: names the accused as Ryan McCrabbe, states his age as 27, gives the three charged buildings, notes a garda objection to bail, medical needs, and adjournment to 3 September 2024.

    accused, Ryan McCrabbe, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ryan McCrabbe
  8. 29 Aug2024
    Arresteddonegallive.ie, first report
    Man due in court following attempted arson and criminal damage in St Johnston

    Reports that the man was arrested a short distance from the scene, is detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, and is due before a special Letterkenny District Court sitting at 7:30pm. Names the premises of the incidents as St Baithin's Church, the Masonic Hall and the Orange Hall.

    suspect, 20s, male
  9. 29 Aug2024
    Arresteddonegallive.ie, follow-up
    Man arrested for numerous attempted arson and criminal damage incidents in Donegal

    Names the churchand halls understood to have been targeted, gives the detention under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, and says the investigation is ongoing.

    suspect, 20s, male
  10. 28 Aug2024
    Chargedgarda.ie, follow-up
    Court Appearance: Arson and Criminal Damage, St. Johnston, Co. Donegal 28th August 2024

    First report of the incident; man in his 20s charged and scheduled to appear at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court.

    suspect, 20s, male
  11. 28 Aug2024
    Arrestedgarda.ie, first report
    Arrest: Arson and Criminal Damage, St. Johnston, Co. Donegal. 28th August, 2024.

    Garda press release. Adds that a second criminal damage report came later that night, that gardaí searched the area, and that a man in his 20s was arrested. No existing case in the list matches this St Johnston incident.

    suspect, 20s, male