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. 14898Being drunk to the extent of being a danger to themselves or others · Co. Leitrim · 5 Jan 2025

Three men fined for being drunk and a danger to themselves in Kinlough, Co Leitrim

On 5 January 2025, at about 00.15am, Gardaí observed three men walking on the road near a parked vehicle at Derrynaseer, Askill, Kinlough, County Leitrim. The men were John McDonagh, 56, Patrick Ward, 30, and Brian Ward, 38, and were described as highly intoxicated and very unsteady on their feet. They were arrested for their own safety and the safety of others, taken to Ballyshannon Garda Station, and each charged with being drunk to the extent of being a danger to themselves or others. On 19 January 2025 all three pleaded guilty at Ballyshannon District Court, where Brian Ward did not attend and was represented by a solicitor, and Judge Ciaran Liddy fined each of them €100.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced19 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Gardaí observed John McDonagh, 56, Patrick Ward, 30, and Brian Ward, 38, walking on the road near a parked vehicle.
  • The three men were described as highly intoxicated and very unsteady on their feet.
Where
The offence took place at Derrynaseer, Askill, Kinlough, County Leitrim.
When
  • The offence took place on 5 January 2025.
  • Gardaí observed the men at about 00.15am.
Cause
The men were intoxicated to the extent that they were a danger to themselves or others.
Investigation
The three men were arrested for their own safety and the safety of others and taken to Ballyshannon Garda Station.
Charges
Each of the three men was charged with being drunk to the extent of being a danger to themselves or others.
In court
  • The men appeared before Ballyshannon District Court on Friday, 19 January 2025.
  • All three men pleaded guilty to the offence.
  • Brian Ward did not attend court and was represented by a solicitor, as were the other two men.
Sentence
Judge Ciaran Liddy fined each of the three men €100.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGardaí observed the defendants walking on the road near a parked vehicle. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatThe defendants were highly intoxicated and unsteady on their feet. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe offence took place at Derrynaseer, Askill, Kinlough, County Leitrim. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe offence took place on January 5, 2025. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenGardaí observed the defendants at 00.15am. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationThe defendants were arrested for their own safety and the safety of others and taken to Ballyshannon Garda Station. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeEach of the three men was charged with being drunk to the extent of being a danger to themselves or others. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe men appeared before Ballyshannon District Court on Friday, January 19. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtAll three men pleaded guilty to the offence. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtBrian Ward did not attend court and was represented by a solicitor. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Ciaran Liddy fined each of the defendants €100. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 Jan2025
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Fines for three men arrested for being drunk and a danger to themselves

    Reports the court outcome for three men: each pleaded guilty and was fined €100 by Judge Ciaran Liddy on 19 January 2025. Brian Ward did not attend and was represented by solicitor Gerry McGovern.

    convicted, John McDonagh, 56, male, named, irish (judged from name)John McDonaghconvicted, Patrick Ward, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Wardconvicted, Brian Ward, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brian Ward