Ireland Sixth arrest over gang attack that saw Donegal man lose part of skull
A sixth person, a man in his 50s, was arrested on Easter Sunday 2026 in connection with the January 20, 2025 gang attack on Charles Dooher, 26, and his father in Donegal, which was reclassified as attempted murder. He was released and a file will be prepared for the DPP.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested20 Jan
3 reports - Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports25 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA man was arrested in connection with an attempted murder in Lifford, Co Donegal (garda.ie)
- whatThe suspect is a man in his 50s (garda.ie)
- whatCharles Dooher, 26, suffered life-changing injuries in the attack. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHis father, in his 60s, was less seriously injured and treated in hospital in Letterkenny. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA five-strong gang of masked men burst into the family home and beat both men around the head and body. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe incident started as a home invasion and armed robbery. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatCharles Dooher lost part of his skull in the attack. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatHe underwent numerous operations including having a metal plate inserted in his head. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatCharles Dooher was airlifted to Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast (irishtimes.com)
- whatDooher's father was also assaulted and treated for less serious injuries at Letterkenny University Hospital (irishtimes.com)
- whereCharles Dooher was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast following the attack. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe attack took place at Coneyburrow Road. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe attempted murder occurred on 20 January 2025 (garda.ie)
- whenThe arrest took place on 5 April 2026 (garda.ie)
- whenThe attack on Charles Dooher and his father took place on January 20, 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe man in his 50s was arrested on Easter Sunday. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe assault occurred on 20 January 2025 (irishtimes.com)
- investigationHe was detained under section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007 (garda.ie)
- investigationHe was released and a file will be prepared for the DPP (garda.ie)
- investigationA sixth person was arrested by Gardaí investigating the case. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationHe was quizzed by detectives at a Garda Station in the North Western Region. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationHe was released and a file will be prepared for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA man in his 50s was arrested on 5 April 2026 and detained under section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe man was released and a file was prepared for the DPP (irishtimes.com)
- otherGardaí reclassified the incident as attempted murder. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 7 Apr2026Man released after arrest over attempted murder of Charles Dooher last year
Reports the arrest and release of a man in his 50s in connection with the January 2025 assault; provides details of the original incident (five masked men, metal bars, Lifford) and confirms a file has been prepared for the DPP.
victim, Charles Dooher, 20s, male, irish (judged from name)Charles Doohervictim, malesuspect, 50s, male - 7 Apr2026Sixth arrest over gang attack that saw Donegal man lose part of skull
Reports the sixth arrest in the case: a man in his 50s arrested on Easter Sunday, quizzed at a Garda Station in the North Western Region, released, with a file to be prepared for the DPP.
victim, Charles Dooher, 26, male, irish (judged from name)Charles Doohervictim, 60s, male, irish (judged from name)suspect, 50s, male - 20 Jan2025Update (4) Arrest – Serious Assault/Attempted Murder Investigation, Lifford, Co. Donegal – 20th January 2025
Official Garda press release (Update 4) confirming the arrest of a man in his 50s on 5 April 2026, his detention under section 50, and his release with a file to be prepared for the DPP.
suspect, 50s, male