Laois court told armed gardaí called to arrest man accused of threats to kill

A bail hearing was told an armed response unit had to be called in to arrest a man who is accused of threatening to slit his brother’s throat. 

Thomas McDonagh (38) of 26 Presentation Place, Birr, Co Offaly appeared before Portlaoise District Court accused of threatening to kill or cause serious harm to his brother Patrick McDonagh at his address on June 11, 2025. 

Objecting to bail, Garda Brendan Mulvey, said gardaí had been called to the address at 9.10pm on June 11.  He said the defendant had replied “I am not guilty” when charged with the offence at Birr Garda Station. 

Judge Andrew Cody noted he was accused of threatening his brother but there were two other alleged injured parties all with the same name. 

Garda Mulvey explained that referred to the man’s brother, father and nephew who are all called Patrick McDonagh. 

He said it would be alleged the man had threatened to stab his father and brother and slit their throats. He is also accused of making threats against his nephew, he said. 

“He had a knife in the pocket of his tracksuit pants,” Garda Mulvey said. 

He said the accused had “made the threats in front of members of An Garda Siochana.” 

The man later admitted making the threats but said he hadn’t meant them. 

Garda Mulvey said the man threatened that “he would stab his brother and father and slit their throats.” 

He explained that the man lived at home with his father. “His brother and his nephew live very close to the house,” said Garda Mulvey.  He said the incident at the property had been “highly charged”.  

“We had to wait for armed response units to come and assist us,” said Garda Mulvey. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client had retreated into a caravan beside the house when gardaí arrived. 

Garda Mulvey said the man began hurling abuse and threats out the window to his brother and nephew. He said the man continued to hurl abuse for an hour while they waited for the armed response unit to arrive. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said the only allegation before the courts related to his brother. She suggested it might be useful if the defendant was removed from the area. 

Garda Mulvey said that wouldn’t fully alleviate his concerns. He said two knives were found within arms reach in the caravan. 

“It is alleged by injured parties that before we arrived a number of implements were used to make threats,” he said. He explained that a wheel brace and tow eye were found by responding officers. 

Ms Fitzpatrick asked about her client’s black eyes and bruising. 

Garda Mulvey said the man alleged he was assaulted by family members before the gardaí had arrived but gardaí didn’t observe any incident. “He is alleging that his brother and nephew assaulted him,” he said. However, he said the man didn’t make a complaint. 

“If he wanted to make a statement we would have taken it,” he remarked. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said the man has a sister in Coolock in Dublin who he can stay with. She asked that he be granted bail on the basis that he not enter county Offaly and agrees to other conditions.

“I would have serious concern that he would have contact with the injured parties,” said Garda Mulvey. 

He again recalled the “highly charged incident” and said the man “was very aggressive" and couldn’t be calmed down. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said her client would say that was because he was beaten prior to the arrival of gardaí. She said he enjoys the presumption of innocence and the investigation will likely take months to complete. 

She said the alleged injured party wasn’t in court to give evidence and the concerns of gardaí can be alleviated by having the defendant reside outside of Offaly. She said there was no evidence that he would commit a serious offence if granted bail. 

Judge Andrew Cody said the man had made threats in front of gardaí including that he would slit the throat of his father and brother. 

He said bail could be granted if he agreed to have no contact with the three Patrick McDonaghs, agreed to stay out of Offaly and that he provide an address outside of the county that was agreed by gardaí outside of the county. He remanded the defendant in custody with consent to bail under those terms to appear before Tullamore District Court on June 18. 

Ms Fitzpatrick requested legal aid as she said her client was on disability. Judge Cody granted legal aid.