Garda to go on trial for assault and burglary

A member of the Garda Síochána, Ireland's national police force, is set to face trial on multiple charges including burglary, criminal damage, assault, and sending grossly offensive messages. Alan O'Mahony, who was most recently stationed at Letterkenny Garda Station and is currently suspended, appeared at Letterkenny District Court.

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He is charged that on 30 June 2024, at Wood Park, Lismonaghan, Letterkenny, he entered a building as a trespasser with intent to commit an arrestable offence.

Judge Emile Daly ordered that O'Mahony be sent forward to the next sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court. The accused, residing in Cork, faces five charges stemming from alleged incidents on June 30, 2024, in Letterkenny. These include trespassing with intent to commit an offense, damaging property by burning a duvet with a cigarette, assaulting Joseph O'Donnell, and causing damage to a front door handle.

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He is also charged that on the same date and location, he damaged a duvet by throwing a lit cigarette on it and burning it.

Further charges include sending a grossly offensive communication, specifically a photograph of a named woman, to another person. The court was informed that a book of evidence had been served on O'Mahony. The Director of Public Prosecutions has consented to him being sent forward to the Circuit Court. O'Mahony has been remanded on bail, with conditions requiring him to reside at a court-provided address and to have no contact, direct or indirect, with the alleged injured party or any witnesses.

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Mr O'Mahony is also charged with assaulting Joseph O'Donnell and with causing damage to the handle of the front door of a house.