Ireland Case No. 15293Assault on gardaí · Co. Donegal · 21 Nov 2021
Man sentenced to 160 hours community service for assaulting two gardaí at Castlefin pub
On 21 November 2021, in the early hours, Darren McGahern, a 45-year-old man, was charged over an alleged assault on Sergeant Joe Dorrian and Garda Sinead McLaughlin during an after-hours raid at the Banjo Tavern in Castlefin, Co Donegal. McGahern was convicted by Judge Cunningham. He was sentenced at Letterkenny District Court to 80 hours of community service for each assault, 160 hours in total, as reported on 5 December 2024.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced5 Dec
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Darren McGahern, a 45-year-old man, is alleged to have assaulted two gardaí during an after-hours raid on a Donegal pub.
- McGahern is said to have put his arms around Garda Sinead McLaughlin's neck and struck Sergeant Joe Dorrian between the legs while resisting arrest.
- Other details
- Gardaí used pepper spray to subdue McGahern.
- McGahern had no previous convictions.
- The victims did not wish to provide victim impact statements.
- Where
- The incident took place at the Banjo Tavern in Castlefin, Co Donegal.
- When
- The assault on Sergeant Joe Dorrian occurred on 21 November 2021, in the early hours of the morning.
- Cause
- Alcohol was consumed on the night of the incident.
- Investigation
- Sergeant Michael McHugh of Lifford Garda Station gave evidence at a previous sitting of the court.
- Charges
- McGahern was charged over the incident.
- In court
- Judge Cunningham convicted McGahern at Letterkenny District Court.
- Sentence
- McGahern was sentenced to 80 hours of community service in lieu of two months in prison for assaulting Sergeant Joe Dorrian.
- McGahern was given 80 hours of community service for assaulting Garda Sinead McLaughlin, 160 hours in total.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA man assaulted two gardaí during an after-hours raid on a Donegal pub. (donegallive.ie)
- whatMcGahern put his arms around Garda McLaughlin's neck and struck Sergeant Dorrian between the legs while resisting arrest. (donegallive.ie)
- whatGardaí had to use pepper spray to subdue McGahern. (donegallive.ie)
- whereThe incident took place at the Banjo Tavern in Castlefin. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe assault on Sergeant Joe Dorrian occurred on 21 November 2021. (donegallive.ie)
- causeAlcohol was consumed on the night. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationSergeant Michael McHugh of Lifford Garda Station gave evidence at a previous sitting of the court. (donegallive.ie)
- chargeMcGahern was charged over the incident, which occurred in the early hours of the morning. (donegallive.ie)
- courtMcGahern was sentenced at Letterkenny District Court. (donegallive.ie)
- courtJudge Cunningham convicted McGahern on the charges. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceMcGahern was sentenced to 80 hours of community service in lieu of two months in prison for assaulting Sergeant Joe Dorrian. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceMcGahern was given the same punishment, 80 hours of community service, for assaulting Garda Sinead McLaughlin. (donegallive.ie)
- otherMcGahern had no previous convictions. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe victims did not wish to provide victim impact statements. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 5 Dec2024Community service for man who assaulted two Gardai in Donegal pub
Reports the sentencing at Letterkenny District Court: 80 hours of community service for each of two assaults, one on Sergeant Joe Dorrian and one on Garda Sinead McLaughlin. Adds the court details, the conviction, the alcohol context and the lack of previous convictions.
convicted, Darren McGahern, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)Darren McGahernvictim, Joe Dorrian, irish (judged from name)Joe Dorrianvictim, Sinead McLaughlin, irish (judged from name)Sinead McLaughlin