Quantity surveyor Seamus Cooley pleads guilty to 2017 assault of young woman in Letterkenny
Seamus Cooley, a 50-year-old quantity surveyor originally from Buncrana, pleaded guilty at Letterkenny Circuit Court on 10 July 2025 to assaulting Shanan Reid McDaid, who was 18 and a third-level student at the time, causing her harm on 15 October 2017 at Castle Street in Letterkenny. Cooley had been in custody at Castlerea Prison since 20 June after breaching his bail conditions, which required him to sign on three times a week at Buncrana Garda Station. Judge Roderick Maguire refused bail and remanded Cooley in custody, with sentencing adjourned to October. Legal aid was extended to cover a psychiatric consultation and report, and Cooley indicated a willingness to tender €10,000 in compensation to the victim, who is now living in Australia.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted10 Jul
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Seamus Cooley, 50, a quantity surveyor originally from Buncrana, pleaded guilty to assaulting Shanan Reid McDaid and causing her harm.
- At the time of the assault, Shanan Reid McDaid was 18 and a third-level student.
- Where
- The assault took place at Castle Street in Letterkenny, County Donegal.
- When
- The assault occurred on 15 October 2017.
- In court
- Cooley had been in custody at Castlerea Prison since 20 June 2025 after breaching bail conditions, including not inhabiting his given address, not signing on at Buncrana Garda Station as required, and interacting with the complainant.
- Judge Roderick Maguire refused bail and remanded Cooley in custody at Letterkenny Circuit Court on 10 July 2025.
- Sentencing was adjourned to October 2025.
- Legal aid was extended to cover a psychiatric consultation and report.
- Cooley indicated a willingness to tender €10,000 in compensation to the victim.
- A bench warrant had been taken against Cooley, and there had been two previous applications for revocation of bail.
- Other details
- Shanan Reid McDaid is currently living in Australia and was not present at the hearing.
16 statements extracted from the articles
- whatCooley is 50 years old and a quantity surveyor (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAt the time of the assault, Ms Reid McDaid was 18 and a third level student (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe assault occurred at Castle Street in Letterkenny (irishmirror.ie)
- whereCooley is originally from Buncrana (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe assault took place on 15 October 2017 (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeCooley pleaded guilty to assaulting Shanan Reid McDaid and causing her harm (irishmirror.ie)
- courtCooley had been in custody in Castlerea Prison since June 20 for breaching bail conditions (irishmirror.ie)
- courtBail was refused by Judge Roderick Maguire (irishmirror.ie)
- courtCooley was willing to tender €10,000 compensation to the victim (irishmirror.ie)
- courtCooley was due to sign on three times a week at Buncrana Garda Station but had only 82% adherence (irishmirror.ie)
- courtAn affidavit of Garda Neil Kemmy noted three breaches: not inhabiting the given address, not signing on as required, and interacting with the complainant (irishmirror.ie)
- courtLegal aid was extended to cover a psychiatric consultation and report (irishmirror.ie)
- courtCooley will be sentenced in October (irishmirror.ie)
- courtMs Crawford said Cooley had already taken a bench warrant and there had been two previous applications for revocation of bail (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMs Reid McDaid is currently living in Australia (irishmirror.ie)
- otherMs Moore said her brother previously attended a psychotherapist (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 10 Jul2025Quantity surveyor pleads guilty to assaulting young woman almost 10 years ago
Guilty plea hearing at Letterkenny Circuit Court; bail refused; remanded in custody; sentencing adjourned to October; legal aid extended for psychiatric assessment.
victim, Shanan Reid McDaid, 18, female, irish (judged from name)Shanan Reid McDaidaccused, Seamus Cooley, 50, male, named, irish (judged from name)Seamus Cooley