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. 21621Violent threats (threats to prison officers) · Co. Galway · 15 Oct 2013

Man sentenced for violent threats to prison officers in Galway

In October 2013, Michael Cleary, a man then 34, made violent threats to two prison officers while receiving TB treatment at University Hospital Galway. He was on remand at Castlerea Prison at the time. Cleary pleaded guilty in November 2016 to threatening to kill or cause serious harm to both officers but absconded to England after being granted bail for an addiction treatment programme. He returned to the country by arrangement and was sentenced at Galway Circuit Court in March 2023 to three and a half years in prison.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced18 Mar
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Cleary made violent and graphic threats to two prison officers while receiving TB treatment at University Hospital Galway.
  • Cleary told the female officer he would cut chunks out of her face with a carving knife, break her teeth, and have four men in a stolen car wait outside for her.
  • Cleary told the male officer he would burn down his house and torture and rape his wife and children.
  • Cleary bit the male officer on the arm and coughed at him, saying he was trying to infect him with TB.
  • Cleary lunged at the female officer but was restrained as he was handcuffed to the bed.
Where
The threats were made at University Hospital Galway.
When
The threats were made in October 2013.
Charges
Cleary pleaded guilty to threatening to kill or cause serious harm to a female prison officer on 20 October 2013 and a male colleague on 15 October 2013.
In court
The sentencing took place at Galway Circuit Court before Judge Brian O'Callaghan.
Sentence
Cleary was sentenced to three and a half years in prison.
Other details
  • Cleary has 108 criminal convictions, 95 of which were committed prior to the 2013 offences.
  • After pleading guilty in November 2016, Cleary absconded to England after being granted bail for an addiction treatment programme, and later returned by arrangement to face sentencing.
  • The female prison officer had to be transferred to another prison and took sick leave due to her mental state.
38 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatBoth officers were on duty in the hospital ward where Cleary was receiving treatment for TB. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatCleary told an officer he would burn down his house and torture and rape his wife and children. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatCleary told the officer his face would be slashed open in Castlerea Prison. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatCleary wished to transmit TB to the officer. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatCleary bit the officer on the arm. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatCleary said he prayed the officer would die in a car crash. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatCleary told the officer he was going to get a carving knife and cut chunks out of her face. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatCleary told the officer he would get four lads in a stolen car to wait outside for her. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe officer stayed in Galway that night and did not return to her home. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatCleary told the officer he was going to break her teeth and smash her face. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatCleary lunged at the officer and attempted to assault her. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe officer said the threats made it impossible for her to continue working in Castlerea Prison and she requested a transfer. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe told the female prison officer he would cut her face with a carving knife. (galwaydaily.com)
  • whatHe said he would break her teeth. (galwaydaily.com)
  • whatHe said he was going to get a sawn-off shotgun. (galwaydaily.com)
  • whatHe said he would have four people waiting outside the hospital when she finished work. (galwaydaily.com)
  • whatHe attempted to lunge at the officer but was handcuffed to the bed. (galwaydaily.com)
  • whatHe told the male officer he would find out where he lived, burn down his home, and rape and kill his wife. (galwaydaily.com)
  • whatHe coughed at the prison guard saying he was trying to get him infected with his TB. (galwaydaily.com)
  • whatHe bit the male prison officer on the arm. (galwaydaily.com)
  • whereThe threats were made to prison officers at University Hospital Galway. (galwaydaily.com)
  • whenThe threats were made in October 2013. (galwaydaily.com)
  • whenOn October 15, 2013, a male prison officer was guarding Cleary. (galwaydaily.com)
  • chargeCleary pleaded guilty to threatening to kill or cause serious harm to a female prison officer on 20 October 2013. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeCleary pleaded guilty to threatening to kill or cause serious harm to a male colleague on 15 October 2013. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe sentencing took place at Galway Circuit Court before Judge Brian O'Callaghan. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtCleary pleaded guilty in November 2016. (galwaydaily.com)
  • sentenceCleary was sentenced to three and a half years in prison. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherCleary has 108 criminal convictions, 95 of which were committed prior to the 2013 offences. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe is currently serving a separate prison sentence for false imprisonment. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherCleary was due to be sentenced in January 2017 but absconded to England. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherAt the time of the incident, Cleary had been remanded in custody but was brought to hospital after being diagnosed with TB. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherCleary was on remand at Castlerea prison at the time. (galwaydaily.com)
  • otherAfter being granted bail for an addiction treatment programme, he fled the country. (galwaydaily.com)
  • otherThe female prison officer had to be transferred to another prison. (galwaydaily.com)
  • otherThe female prison officer had to take sick leave due to her mental state. (galwaydaily.com)
  • otherCleary's barrister Gary McDonald BL said his client had serious drug addictions. (galwaydaily.com)
  • otherCleary came back to the country by arrangement to face sentencing. (galwaydaily.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 2 Apr2023
    Sentencedgalwaydaily.com, its first report
    Man sentenced for violent threats to prison officers at UHG - Galway Daily

    Reports the sentencing of Michael Cleary to three and a half years (none suspended) for violent threats made to two prison officers at UHG in October 2013, after he fled the country following his 2016 guilty plea and was later brought back by arrangement.

    convicted, Michael Cleary, 34, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Clearyvictim, femalevictim, male
  2. 18 Mar2023
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Prisoner who told prison officer he would 'cut chunks out of her cheeks' jailed

    Full sentencing details including the judge's remarks, specific threats made, victim impact statement, Cleary's 108 prior convictions, and the fact that he absconded to England in 2017 before sentencing.

    convicted, Michael Cleary, 34, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Clearyvictim, femalevictim, male