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. 15004Assault causing harm · Co. Donegal · 23 Jun 2020

Three men sentenced over 2020 assault on man in Letterkenny

On June 23, 2020, Patrick O'Shea, a man, was assaulted at Celtic Apartments on Pearse Road, Letterkenny, Co Donegal. John Tierney (35), Danny Tierney (41) and Brian Cairney (50), all men, were charged with assault causing harm to Mr O'Shea. The three men were sentenced at Donegal Circuit Court, with Judge Aylmer saying the offence was at the upper end of the scale. Sentences included suspended terms and Probation Service supervision after release, and the sources differ on how much of John Tierney's sentence was suspended. The sentencing, reported on January 8, 2025, is the latest development.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced8 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Mr O'Shea had injuries to his left eye and blood coming from his nostrils.
  • Mr O'Shea was struck on the testicles with a hurley stick and a golf club and was kicked by one of the men.
Where
The assault happened at Celtic Apartments, Pearse Road, Letterkenny, Co Donegal.
When
The assault happened on June 23, 2020.
Cause
Mr O'Shea had been drinking and went to the apartments looking to buy drugs.
Weapon
Two pieces of a hurley stick were found on the ground.
Investigation
Gardaí were called by a local resident and found Mr O'Shea on the ground, and CCTV shown in court showed him arriving at an apartment window.
Charges
John Tierney, Danny Tierney and Brian Cairney were charged with assault causing harm to Patrick O'Shea.
Other details
The three men said Mr O'Shea had been wielding a knife and that they felt threatened.
In court
The three men were sentenced at Donegal Circuit Court, and Judge Aylmer said the offence was on the upper end and that Danny Tierney wielded a hurley stick.
Sentence
  • John Tierney was given two years and eight months with the entire term suspended, and will be supervised by the Probation Service after release, although the article lead says two of the three sentences were suspended.
  • Danny Tierney was jailed for two years and four months, with the final one year and four months suspended, and will be supervised by the Probation Service for 12 months after release.
  • Brian Cairney was given a fully suspended 20-month prison sentence, will be supervised by the Probation Service and was ordered to comply with all directions.
18 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe victim had injuries to his left eye and blood coming from his nostrils. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe assault happened at Celtic Apartments, Pearse Road, Letterkenny. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe assault happened on June 23, 2020. (donegallive.ie)
  • causeMr O'Shea had been drinking and went to the apartments looking to buy drugs. (donegallive.ie)
  • weaponTwo pieces of a hurley stick were found on the ground. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí were called by a local resident and found the victim on the ground. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationCCTV footage shown in court showed Mr O'Shea arriving at a window of an apartment. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeAll three men were charged with assault causing harm to Patrick O’Shea. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe three men were sentenced at Donegal Circuit Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtJudge Aylmer said the offence was on the upper end. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceJohn Tierney was given two years and eight months in prison, with the entire term suspended. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceJohn Tierney will be supervised by the Probation Service after his release from prison. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceDanny Tierney was jailed for two years and four months, with the final one year and four months suspended. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceDanny Tierney will be supervised by the Probation Service for 12 months after release. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceBrian Cairney was given a fully suspended 20-month prison sentence. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceBrian Cairney will be supervised by the Probation Service and ordered to comply with all directions. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe three men claimed they went outside because Mr O'Shea had been wielding a knife and they felt threatened. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherJudge Aylmer said Danny Tierney wielded a hurley stick in what he called a quite vicious attack. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 Jan2025
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Trio sentenced over vicious assault in Letterkenny

    Reports the sentencing of three men for a 2020 assault in Letterkenny, including each sentence and conditions, the victim's injuries and the defence accounts given in court.

    convicted, John Tierney, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Tierneyconvicted, Danny Tierney, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)Danny Tierneyconvicted, Brian Cairney, 50, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brian Cairneyvictim, Patrick O'Shea, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick O'Shea