Case No. 3011Assault causing harm · Co. Donegal · 15 Oct 2017
Quantity surveyor Seamus Cooley jailed for four years for savage unprovoked attack on teenage woman in Letterkenny
Seamus Cooley, a 51-year-old quantity surveyor, was sentenced to four years in prison at Letterkenny Circuit Court for repeatedly punching 18-year-old Shanan Reid McDaid in the face in a random, unprovoked assault in Castle Street, Letterkenny, in the early hours of 15 October 2017. Cooley, who had 13 prior convictions, initially denied the attack and claimed the victim was a liar, but was identified through CCTV and a blood-stained jacket found at his home.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced22 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports10 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe victim sustained a suspected broken nose, two chipped teeth, a cut to the side of the head, a sore jaw, and swelling and bruising to her face. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe attack took place in Castle Street, Letterkenny. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe assault occurred in the early hours of 15 October 2017. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe maximum penalty for the offence at the time of its commission was five years in prison. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtCooley was remanded in custody the previous June after breaching bail conditions at Cavan Circuit Court, with only 82% adherence to his requirement to sign on three times a week at Buncrana Garda Station. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceCooley was sentenced to four years in prison by Judge John Aylmer at Letterkenny Circuit Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe victim suffered from PTSD, panic attacks, and avoided social settings for years after the attack. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherIt took almost eight years for Cooley to take accountability for the attack. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherCooley has 13 prior convictions, including 10 for public order matters and one for aggravated assault from Northern Ireland. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherCooley offered €2,500 to the victim, which she did not wish to accept. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 22 May2026Man who attacked teen then claimed she lied about the attack faces justice
Reports the sentencing of Seamus Cooley to four years' imprisonment for the 2017 assault, including details of the attack, the victim's long-term psychological impact, Cooley's denial and bail breach, and the judge's reasoning.
victim, Shanan Reid McDaid, 18, female, irish (judged from name)Shanan Reid McDaidconvicted, Seamus Cooley, 51, male, named, irish (judged from name)Seamus Cooley