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. 7780Threats to kill or cause serious harm; production of articles · Co. Dublin · 27 Mar 2020

Man sentenced over threats to kill gardaí and Howth house barricade

John Paul McDonagh, a 41-year-old man, barricaded himself in a house at an address in Howth, Dublin, on March 27th and 28th, 2020, armed with a hatchet and a knife, and made threats to kill gardaí. Armed Support Unit gardaí arrested him at 5.15am after garda negotiators had tried to speak with him. He pleaded guilty, and Judge Orla Crowe sentenced him at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in July 2023; the sources differ on the terms, with one reporting 18 months in prison and the other two concurrent three-year terms with the final 18 months suspended. The latest development is that the sentence will begin in April 2024, after he completes his current prison term.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced25 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
John Paul McDonagh barricaded himself in a house after his partner left.
Where
The offences took place at an address in Howth, Dublin.
When
The production of articles and threats offences took place on March 27th and 28th, 2020.
Weapon
McDonagh was armed with a hatchet and was also seen holding a knife.
Cause
The offending happened while McDonagh was drinking.
Investigation
  • Armed Support Unit gardaí entered the house and arrested McDonagh at 5.15am.
  • Garda negotiators were called and tried to speak with McDonagh.
Charges
  • McDonagh pleaded guilty to the production of two articles and to making threats to kill or cause serious harm to gardaí at the Howth address.
  • Two further counts of threats to kill or cause serious harm to gardaí made in February 2020 were taken into consideration.
In court
Judge Orla Crowe passed sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, as reported in July 2023.
Sentence
  • Sources differ: one reports an 18-month prison sentence, while the other reports two concurrent three-year terms for threats to kill or cause serious harm, with the final 18 months suspended for 18 months.
  • McDonagh must undergo treatment for alcohol use during the suspension period.
  • The sentence will begin in April 2024, after McDonagh completes his current prison term.
Other details
McDonagh has 131 previous convictions and was on bail at the time of the offending.
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMcDonagh barricaded himself in the house after his partner left. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatArmed Support Unit gardaí entered the house and arrested McDonagh at 5.15am. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe offences took place at an address in Howth. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe production of articles offence was on March 27th and 28th, 2020. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe offending happened when McDonagh was drinking. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponMcDonagh was armed with a hatchet. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponMcDonagh was also seen holding a knife. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGarda negotiators were called and tried to speak with McDonagh. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHe pleaded guilty to making threats to kill or cause serious harm to gardaí at the Howth address. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Orla Crowe passed sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceMcDonagh was sentenced to two concurrent three-year terms for two counts of threats to kill or cause serious harm. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe final 18 months of the sentence was suspended for 18 months. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceMcDonagh must undergo treatment for alcohol use during the suspension period. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe sentence will begin in April 2024, after McDonagh completes his current prison term. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMcDonagh has 131 previous convictions. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMcDonagh was on bail at the time of the offending. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Jul2023
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man who barricaded himself in house with hatchet and threatened to kill gardaí sentenced to 18 months in jail

    Reports the sentencing of McDonagh, including the court's sentence terms, aggravating and mitigating factors, and the garda account of the Howth barricade and threats.

    convicted, John Paul McDonagh, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Paul McDonagh