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. 13598Burglary · Co. Donegal · 29 Sep 2019

Two Carndonagh men plead guilty to 2019 Buncrana burglary

Dermot McGuinness, 38, of Churchtown, Carndonagh, and Jonathan McLaughlin, 44, of Glentogher, Carndonagh, were charged over a burglary at Oakgrove, Millfield, Buncrana, on 29 September 2019. The charge is that they entered a building as trespassers with intent to commit an arrestable offence. Both men pleaded guilty when the charge was read to them at Letterkenny Circuit Court, as reported in May 2025. The judge asked for a probation and welfare report and adjourned the matter to October, and no sentence has yet been imposed.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted29 May
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The men are charged with entering a building as trespassers with intent to commit an arrestable offence.
Where
The incident took place at Oakgrove, Millfield, Buncrana, County Donegal.
When
The incident took place on 29 September 2019.
Charges
  • The charge is contrary to section 12 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001.
  • The State said a nolle prosequi could be entered on two other counts.
Other details
  • Dermot McGuinness, 38, of Churchtown, Carndonagh, and Jonathan McLaughlin, 44, of Glentogher, Carndonagh, are the two men charged.
  • McGuinness's barrister said he is heavily engaged in construction work and hopes a compensation figure can be agreed.
  • McLaughlin's barrister said his client has a substantial amount of convictions and that his family background and history could be explored by the Probation Service.
In court
  • The two men appeared before Letterkenny Circuit Court.
  • Both men pleaded guilty when the charge was read to them.
  • The judge asked for a probation and welfare report and adjourned the matter until October.
Sentence
No sentence has been imposed yet.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe incident took place at Oakgrove, Millfield, Buncrana. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe incident took place on 29 September 2019. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe men are charged with entering a building as trespassers with intent to commit an arrestable offence. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe charge is contrary to section 12 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe two men appeared before Letterkenny Circuit Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtBoth men pleaded guilty when the charge was read to them. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe State said a nolle prosequi could be entered on two other counts. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe judge asked for a probation and welfare report and adjourned the matter until October. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherMcGuinness's barrister said he is heavily engaged in construction work and hopes a compensation figure can be agreed. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherMcLaughlin's barrister said his client has a substantial amount of convictions. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherMcLaughlin's barrister said his family background and history could be explored by the Probation Service. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 29 May2025
    Convicteddonegallive.ie, first report
    Carndonagh duo admit part in Buncrana burglary

    Both men pleaded guilty at Letterkenny Circuit Court to a burglary at Oakgrove, Millfield, Buncrana, on 29 September 2019. The matter was adjourned to October for a probation and welfare report, and sentencing has not yet taken place.

    convicted, Dermot McGuinness, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Dermot McGuinnessconvicted, Jonathan McLaughlin, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jonathan McLaughlin