Saturday 31 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. 19181Theft · Co. Donegal · 4 Nov 2023

Memorial plaque and wreath stolen from Castlefin cemetery

A black marble memorial plaque and a poppy wreath were stolen from a grave at St Mary's Cemetery in Castlefin, County Donegal, between 8:45pm on Saturday 4 November and 12pm on Sunday 5 November 2023. The memorial commemorated John Doherty, a 31-year-old RUC officer who was killed by the IRA in 1973 while visiting his widowed mother near Lifford. On 8 November 2023, councillor Gary Doherty condemned the theft, and Terry Doherty, the officer's brother, said he believed it was motivated by his brother's RUC service. On 14 November 2023, Gardaí in Letterkenny appealed for information, and no suspect or arrest has been reported.

  1. Reported8 Nov
    2 reports
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A black marble memorial plaque and a wreath were stolen from a grave at St Mary's Cemetery in Castlefin.
Where
The theft took place at St Mary's Cemetery in Castlefin, County Donegal.
When
The theft occurred between 8:45pm on Saturday 4 November and 12pm on Sunday 5 November 2023.
Other details
  • The memorial was dedicated to John Doherty, a 31-year-old RUC officer, on 28 October 2023, the 50th anniversary of his death.
  • John Doherty was killed by the IRA in 1973 while visiting his widowed mother near Lifford, having been based in Omagh, County Tyrone.
  • Councillor Gary Doherty condemned the theft, as reported on 8 November 2023.
Cause
Terry Doherty, brother of John Doherty, believes the memorial and wreath were taken solely because his brother was an RUC member.
Investigation
  • Gardaí in Letterkenny appealed on 14 November 2023 for anyone with relevant information to contact them on 074-9167100 or the Garda Confidential line on 1800 666 111.
  • No suspect has been identified and no arrest has been reported.
Charges
No charge has been reported.
In court
No court proceedings have been reported.
Sentence
No sentence has been reported.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA memorial and a poppy wreath were stolen at the weekend. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatA memorial plaque and a wreath were stolen. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe memorial was taken from a grave in Castlefin. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe theft took place at St Mary's Cemetery in Castlefin. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe plaque and wreath were removed from a grave. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe theft took place at the weekend. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred between 8:45pm on Saturday 4 November and 12pm on Sunday 5 November 2023. (donegallive.ie)
  • causeTerry Doherty believes the memorial and wreath were taken solely because his brother was an RUC member. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are appealing for anyone with relevant information to contact Gardaí in Letterkenny or the Garda Confidential line. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe memorial was dedicated to the deceased on October 28, the 50th anniversary of his death. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherCouncillor Gary Doherty condemned the theft. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 14 Nov2023
    Reporteddonegallive.ie, first report
    Theft of a memorial plaque and wreath from a graveyard in Castlefin

    First report of the theft of a memorial plaque and wreath from St Mary's Cemetery, Castlefin. Gardaí in Letterkenny have appealed for information. No suspect or arrest is reported.

  2. 8 Nov2023
    Reporteddonegallive.ie, follow-up
    Theft of Castlefin memorial to 1st RUC officer killed in Republic condemned

    Adds the reaction of councillor Gary Doherty and of Terry Doherty, brother of the RUC officer John Doherty, who was murdered by the IRA in 1973. Terry Doherty believes the theft was motivated by his brother's RUC service. The article also says the memorial was dedicated on October 28, the 50th anniversary of the death.