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. 17704Threatening or abusive behaviour · Co. Tipperary · 22 Feb 2022

Three men sentenced over abuse and threats towards garda at Thurles courthouse

On 22 February 2022, garda Mark Conway was on duty at Thurles courthouse when he intervened in a disturbance, and three men were charged with threatening and abusive behaviour. Two men named James Donoghue pleaded guilty, and the judge found all three men guilty, with a bench warrant issued for the third defendant who was not present in court. On 4 April 2024, Judge Catherine Hayden imposed three-month sentences suspended for 18 months on two men and fines of €500 on two men, and the judge allowed three months to pay the fines.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced4 Apr
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Three men were found guilty of intimidating a court garda at Thurles courthouse.
Where
The incident took place at Thurles courthouse on O'Donovan Rossa Street, Thurles.
When
The incident took place on 22 February 2022.
Other details
  • Garda Mark Conway was on duty at the courthouse and intervened in a disturbance involving several people.
  • People outside the courthouse were shouting and behaving abusively.
  • The men named are James Donoghue of Templemore, John Donogue, aged 21, of Roscrea, and James Donoghue of Thurles; reports differ on the age of the second James Donoghue, given as 48 in one and 20 in another.
  • After the incident, a series of threats were made against the garda, who said he has not done court duty since.
Charges
The three men were charged with threatening and abusive behaviour on 22 February 2022.
Cause
The defence solicitor said the garda and the defendants had a history, but the judge disagreed that this was a contributing factor.
In court
  • Two men named James Donoghue pleaded guilty to the charge.
  • The judge found all three men guilty, and a bench warrant was issued for the third defendant, who was not present in court.
  • The judge allowed three months to pay the fines.
Sentence
  • Two men received three-month sentences suspended for 18 months.
  • Two men were given fines of €500.
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThree men were found guilty of intimidating a court guard. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whereThe incident happened at Thurles courthouse. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whenThe men were charged with offences on 22 February 2022. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • causeThe defence solicitor said the garda and the defendants had a history. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • chargeThe men were charged with threatening and abusive behaviour. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • courtTwo men named James Donoghue pleaded guilty. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • courtThe judge found all three men guilty. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • courtThe third defendant was not present in court, and a bench warrant was issued. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • courtThe judge allowed three months to pay the fines. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • sentenceTwo men received three-month sentences suspended for 18 months. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • sentenceTwo men were given fines of €500. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherGarda Mark Conway was on duty at Thurles courthouse and intervened in a disturbance involving several people. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherPeople outside the courthouse were shouting and behaving abusively. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherAfter the incident, a series of threats were made against the garda. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherThe garda said he has not done court duty since the incident. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherThe judge disagreed that the alleged history was a contributing factor. (tipperarylive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 4 Apr2024
    Sentencedtipperarylive.ie, first report
    Suspended sentences for men who verbally abused court garda in Thurles

    Court report on the sentencing of three men for intimidating a garda at Thurles courthouse in February 2022. It gives the judge's comments, the garda's account of threats made after the incident, the defence's claim of a prior history, the sentences, the fines and the bench warrant for the absent defendant.

    convicted, James Donoghue, 48, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Donoghueconvicted, John Donogue, 21, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Donogueconvicted, James Donoghue, 20, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Donoghuevictim, Mark Conway, irish (judged from name)Mark Conway