Ireland Crime

Named as

Victim

Offences

Possession of a weapon and corrosive liquid for use in an assault; assault causing harm, Endangerment; assault causing harm; possession of a knife in a public place

Where

Co. Donegal

Reporting

5 reports, 23 Dec 2024 to 11 Dec 2025

Outlets

donegallive.ie

• Man pleads guilty to assault and weapon possession in Ballyshannon Possession of a weapon and corrosive liquid for use in an assault; assault causing harm · Co. Donegal

  On 5 May 2023, Derek McDonagh, 34, of Darlington, England, allegedly had a pickaxe handle and corrosive liquid for use in an assault at TJ Hughes Service Station, Cloghore, Ballyshannon, and assaulted Patrick Joseph Ward, causing him harm. He was arrested by Detective Garda Ciaran O'Brien and appeared at Ballyshannon District Court on 3 January 2025, where he was granted bail. He then appeared before Judge John Aylmer at Donegal Circuit Court, where he pleaded guilty to both the weapon possession and assault causing harm charges. The judge granted legal aid for a psychiatric report and adjourned the case to the next sitting.

  Convicted, 11 Dec 2025Victim · 2 reports
• Man pleads guilty to endangerment, assault and knife possession in Ballyshannon Endangerment; assault causing harm; possession of a knife in a public place · Co. Donegal

  On 6 May 2023, Charlie McDonagh, 43, drove a VW Golf with false plates into the rear of a vehicle driven by Patrick Joseph Ward at TJ Hughes Service Station, Cloghore, Ballyshannon, and assaulted him with a knife. McDonagh was charged with endangerment by driving, assault causing harm, and possession of a knife in a public place. He appeared at Ballyshannon District Court in December 2024 and Donegal District Court in February 2025, where he was sent forward for trial. In April 2025, McDonagh pleaded guilty to all three charges at Donegal Circuit Court, where Judge John Aylmer ordered a probation report on his suitability for community service and adjourned the case to the next session.

  In court, 23 Dec 2024Victim · 3 reports

Each entry shows how that report described them.

1. 11 Dec2025
   Convicteddonegallive.ie, in Man pleads guilty to assault and weapon possession in Ballyshannon

   Man admits to possessing corrosive liquid and weapon for assault in Ballyshannon

   victim, Patrick Joseph Ward, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick Joseph Ward♂IE
2. 9 Apr2025
   In courtdonegallive.ie, in Man pleads guilty to endangerment, assault and knife possession in Ballyshannon

   Man pleads guilty to endangerment, assault and knife possession at service station

   victim, Patrick Joseph Ward, irish (judged from name)Patrick Joseph WardIE
3. 25 Feb2025
   In courtdonegallive.ie, in Man pleads guilty to endangerment, assault and knife possession in Ballyshannon

   Man to face trial for alleged driving which created risk of death or harm

   victim, Patrick Joseph Ward, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick Joseph Ward♂IE
4. 3 Jan2025
   In courtdonegallive.ie, in Man pleads guilty to assault and weapon possession in Ballyshannon

   Man allegedly had ‘pickaxe handle and corrosive liquid’ for use in assault

   victim, Patrick Joseph Ward, male, irish (judged from name)Patrick Joseph Ward♂IE
5. 23 Dec2024
   In courtdonegallive.ie, in Man pleads guilty to endangerment, assault and knife possession in Ballyshannon

   Man charged with driving in manner causing ‘risk of death or serious harm’

   victim, Patrick Joseph Ward, irish (judged from name)Patrick Joseph WardIE

Matched on the name as printed, ignoring quoted nicknames, and split by the ages reported. Two people who share a name and age would appear together here.