Thursday 5 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. 25823Assault causing harm; production of a kitchen knife · Co. Clare · 10 Feb 2019

Man sentenced for face slash with kitchen knife in Ennis

On the night of 10 February 2019, William McDonagh, a 31-year-old man, slashed Wayne Higgins, a 25-year-old man, across the face with a kitchen knife at the Laurel Lodge homeless hostel in Ennis, County Clare. Higgins was left with a 20cm wound requiring 14 stitches, nerve damage, and a deep scar near his left eye. McDonagh pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm and the production of a kitchen knife. A jury at Ennis Circuit Court convicted him of both offences in October 2021. In August 2022, Judge Brian O'Callaghan imposed a suspended three-year sentence on condition McDonagh pays €20,000 compensation to Higgins.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced3 Aug
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • McDonagh slashed Higgins across the face with a kitchen knife, leaving a 20cm wound requiring 14 stitches near his left eye.
  • Higgins has lost feeling in part of his face, has a lazy eye, a deep scar from above his left temple, and is on medication for nerve damage.
  • Higgins was refused entry to Laurel Lodge that night because he had been drinking.
Where
The assault occurred at the Laurel Lodge homeless hostel in Ennis, County Clare.
When
The assault took place on the night of 10 February 2019.
Charges
McDonagh pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm and the production of a kitchen knife.
In court
A jury convicted McDonagh of both offences after a two-day trial at Ennis Circuit Court in October 2021.
Sentence
McDonagh was given a suspended three-year sentence on condition he pays €20,000 compensation to Higgins.
Other details
  • McDonagh has 39 previous convictions including 21 road traffic related, seven for theft and nine drug related offences.
  • McDonagh has had addiction issues since age 16, is deemed drug free, has lived in Ennis all his life, and is currently working in Dublin.
  • Higgins was originally from Kilmaley and had lived in Ennis.
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMcDonagh slashed Higgins across the face with a kitchen knife leaving a 20cm wound. (clareecho.ie)
  • whatHiggins was left with 14 stitches to the left side of his face very close to his left eye. (clareecho.ie)
  • whatHiggins has lost feeling in part of his face and is on medication for nerve damage. (clareecho.ie)
  • whatHiggins has a lazy eye and a deep scar from above his left temple. (clareecho.ie)
  • whatHiggins has been left in serious depression by the attack. (clareecho.ie)
  • whatHiggins was refused entry to Laurel Lodge that night because he had been drinking. (clareecho.ie)
  • whereThe assault occurred in Ennis, County Clare. (clareecho.ie)
  • whereHiggins was staying at the Laurel Lodge homeless hostel around the time of the assault. (clareecho.ie)
  • whenThe assault took place on the night of 10 February 2019. (clareecho.ie)
  • chargeMcDonagh pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm and the production of a kitchen knife. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtA jury convicted McDonagh of both offences after a two-day trial at Ennis Circuit Court in October 2021. (clareecho.ie)
  • sentenceMcDonagh was given a suspended three-year sentence on condition he pays €20,000 compensation to Higgins. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherMcDonagh has 39 previous convictions including 21 road traffic related, seven for theft and nine drug related offences. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherMcDonagh has had addiction issues since he was 16 and is deemed to be drug free. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherMcDonagh has lived in Ennis all his life and is currently working in Dublin. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherHiggins was originally from Kilmaley and had lived in Ennis. (clareecho.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Aug2022
    Sentencedclareecho.ie, first report
    Ennis man walks free from court after agreeing to pay €20,000 to 'slash' victim - Clare Echo

    Reports the sentencing: suspended three-year term with €20,000 compensation condition, details of the trial and jury conviction, victim impact statement, and background on the accused including 39 previous convictions.

    victim, Wayne Higgins, 25, male, irish (judged from name)Wayne Higginsconvicted, William McDonagh, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)William McDonagh