Dundalk man handed life sentence for murder of his wife

Michael McDonagh (left), taking part in a bareknuckle fight (bottom right) and his wife Jacqueline (top right)

A local man was handed a life sentence yesterday for murdering his wife in their Dundalk home three years ago.

Michael McDonagh (36) of College Manor, Hoey’s Lane, Dundalk, Co Louth pleaded guilty before the Central Criminal Court to the murder of his wife Jacqueline McDonagh on August 29th, 2012.

The court heard how the mother of three had been “cruelly taken from her family” when she was “brutally beaten to death” by her husband of 15 years, despite several unsuccessful attempts to call her father. The court heard her mobile phone was found under her body.

Counsel for Mr McDonagh, Caroline Biggs SC, told the Central Criminal Court she had been expecting to seek a jury trial this morning but her instructions had changed in the previous few minutes.

Before Justice Paul Carney, Det Insp Patrick Marry told the court about a call being placed to the emergency services in Dundalk in August 2012.

On arrival, the ambulance personnel found an unresponsive female with “suspicious injuries”.

Ms Biggs explained to the court how Mr McDonagh, who was known as a “bare knuckle boxer” was “in a very distressed state” and pleaded with the ambulance service to help.

CCTV footage from a number of hours previous to the murder, show the father of three getting out of his car in good form and “dancing”.

The family had been at a family party previously and alcohol had been consumed. The defence told the court, the couple had been in “good form” at the party and there had been “no issues.”

Justice Paul Carney handed down a life sentence to Michael McDonagh backdated to September 1 2012.

 Source: The Irish Times

Residents close to Dundalk IT call for Rag Week to become a licensed event

John Temple

Residents close to Dundalk IT have called on the Students’ Union to either cancel their annual Rag Week event or get an event licence for it.

College Manor resident John Temple has compiled a highly critical report on the 2014 event having taken on board the views of residents in his own estate, College Heights, Rockfield, Langfield and along Hoey’s Lane.

He said that while significant sums of money – up to €20,000 – were raised for charities from the event, similar amounts were spent repairing damage caused by students during Rag Week.

Mr Temple said in light of the action taken by residents in the vicinity of Croke Park earlier this year against the Garth Brooks concerts, he felt residents close to DkIT had a right to request a similar licence be obtained for Rag Week.

He said that if this permit were required it would allow local Gardaí to seek further resources to police events.

Speaking to LMFM, he said: “From our discussions with Gardaí, when they have a large crowd attending Oriel Park or a similar public event they can apply to get additional resources from headquarters.

“If this is properly organised and licensed then similar to at football games and other public events then the Gardaí in Dundalk will be able to apply for extra resources. At present you’re dealing with two patrol cars, four guards, for around a thousand students on the street at night,” said Mr Temple.

13-year-old given 18 month suspended sentence

A 13-year-old boy was given suspended sentences totaling 18 months at Dundalk Circuit Court yesterday after being found guilty of acting as a look-out for a group involved in stealing over €25,000 worth of equipment from O Fiaich College.

LMFM radio reported this morning that the court were told that the accused had been abusing drugs since aged 11 and that he became involved in crime to either get money to buy cannabis or to pay off drug debts.

The court heard that the teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, acted as a look-out for a group of older youths who broke into the Hoey’s Lane school on two occasions in February.

The group stole more than €25,000 worth of Apple computers and equipment from the school’s multi-media room.

As well as admitting a charge of trespassing on both dates, the 13-year-old also pleaded guilty to stealing a bottle of whiskey from Lidl on the Long Avenue last August and trespassing at a house in College Manor on Hoey’s Lane last September.

After being assured that the boy’s mother was making every effort to divert the child away from the path he has been on, Judge Michael O’Shea sentenced him to a total of 18 months detention, which was suspended on him entering a good behaviour bond which ensures he must engage with various support groups and go to counselling.