Friday 30 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. 13053Assault on a Garda, criminal damage, dangerous driving, unlawful interference with a vehicle, failing to report an accident · Co. Donegal · 14 Feb 2019

Owen Orr jailed for St Valentine's Day rampage in Letterkenny

Owen Orr, 32, was sentenced to 16 months in prison (with the last eight months suspended) and a five-year driving ban at Letterkenny Circuit Court after pleading guilty to a series of offences committed on 14 February 2019, including assaulting a Garda, dangerous driving, and crashing his car into a mother and daughter.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court17 Jul
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced30 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
34 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatOrr punched motorist Charles Bonner in the nose. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatOrr crashed his car into a mother and daughter. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatOrr refused to give a blood or urine sample at the station. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatOwen Orr pleaded guilty to a range of offences all occurring on the same evening of 14 February 2019. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatOrr punched motorist Charles Bonner in the nose and pulled the keys from his jeep, throwing them into a hedge. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatOrr crashed his car into Kathleen Birch and her daughter at Dromore Lower. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatOrr assaulted Garda Michael Kilcoyne by grabbing him by the neck, causing his motorbike to fall to the ground. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatOrr was charged with dangerous driving on the N13 on 14 February 2019. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatOrr was charged with damaging a Toyota Corolla belonging to Kathleen Birch at Dromore, Letterkenny. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatOrr was charged with failing to report an accident at Dromore Lower on 14 February 2019. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatOrr was charged with unlawful interference with Charles Bonner's vehicle at Manorcunningham by removing the key from the ignition. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatOrr was charged with damaging a Garda Honda motorcycle belonging to the Chief Superintendent. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatOrr refused to give a blood or urine sample while in Letterkenny Garda Station. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatOrr was interviewed four days later when sober and was described as very apologetic. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatOrr has been sober since 2023 and attends AA meetings four times a week. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe offences took place in Letterkenny. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe offences occurred on 14 February 2019. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeOrr pleaded guilty to a range of offences which all occurred on the same evening. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeOrr was charged with assaulting Garda Michael Kilcoyne at Cullion Road, Letterkenny. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeOrr was charged with criminal damage to a Garda motorcycle at Cullion Road, Letterkenny. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeOrr was charged with unlawful interference with a vehicle belonging to Charles Bonner at Manorcunningham. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeOrr was charged with dangerous driving on the N13. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeOrr was charged with criminal damage to a Toyota Corolla belonging to Kathleen Birch at Dromore, Letterkenny. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeOrr was charged with failing to report an accident at Dromore Lower. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtOrr has 31 previous convictions. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtOrr's barrister said he has been sober since 2023. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtCompensation totalling €2,000 was offered by the accused. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Maguire said he would deliver the final sentence the following week. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceOrr was sentenced to 16 months in prison with the last eight months suspended. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceOrr was banned from holding a driving licence for five years. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceOrr was ordered to enter a bond to keep the peace for two years upon release. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherOrr is a father of five. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe incident of Bonner being punched and the keys thrown was captured on dashcam. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe driver fled on foot after the collision but left his wallet with bank cards and identification at the scene. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 Jul2025
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Man who went on St Valentine’s Day rampage in Letterkenny is jailed

    Sentencing report from Letterkenny Circuit Court detailing the full sequence of events on 14 February 2019, the charges, mitigation, and the final sentence of 16 months (8 suspended), a five-year driving ban, and a two-year bond to keep the peace.

    convicted, Owen Orr, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Owen Orrvictim, Charles Bonner, male, irish (judged from name)Charles Bonnervictim, Kathleen Birch, female, irish (judged from name)Kathleen Birchvictim, Michael Kilcoyne, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Kilcoyne
  2. 17 Jul2025
    In courtdonegallive.ie, follow-up
    Man awaits fate in Circuit Court over Valentine’s Day rampage in Letterkenny

    Reports Orr's guilty plea at Letterkenny Circuit Court and the charges, mitigation and compensation offered. Sentence was to be delivered the following week.

    convicted, Owen Orr, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Owen Orrvictim, Michael Kilcoyne, irish (judged from name)Michael Kilcoynevictim, Charles Bonner, irish (judged from name)Charles Bonnervictim, Kathleen Birch, irish (judged from name)Kathleen Birch