‘Absolute nuisance’ to the ‘home of hurling’ in Laois jailed

An ‘absolute nuisance’ in a rural area described in court as Laois’s ‘home of hurling’ has been jailed. 

Joseph Donoghue (44) of 1 The Maisonettes, Quigley Park, Rathdowney, admitted causing €50 of criminal damage to a bin at Haroon Curry House, Rathdowney on September 24, 2024, engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour at Keane’s Filling Station, Rathdowney on May 31, 2023 and engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour at Quigley Park, Rathdowney on June 1, 2023. 

He also pleaded guilty to being intoxicated and engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour at Quigley Park, Rathdowney on May 21 and to the same offence at Mooreville Rathowney on May 22, 2025 and to being intoxicated at Conoboro Road, Rathdowney on January 25, 2025 and to the same offence at Cork Road, Durrow on May 11, 2025. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant and another person entered Haroon Curry House and “had a run in with the owner” before the accused damaged the bin. 

“Joseph Donoghue had his fists raised and tried to swing at the injured party. He told the injured party that he would break his neck and then he broke his bin,” explained Sgt Kirby. 

He said Gardai responding to reports discovered the accused in a highly intoxicated state trying to climb a gate at Mooreville on May 22. The  man became aggressive and had to be pepper sprayed by Gardaí. 

Sgt Kirby said on May 21, 2025 at Quigley Park, Sgt Howard called to the defendant at 9.30pm to check he was abiding by his bail conditions. He said the defendant was intoxicated, unsteady on his feet and shouting abuse and followed Sgt Howard out and “punched the van” before being arrested. 

Judge Fay asked Sgt Kirby to tell her about Rathdowney. 

Sgt Kirby described Rathdowney as a small rural area which was “the home of hurling” and he said they were “lovely people out there”. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said “Mr Donoghue has been an absolute nuisance in Rathdowney” and she acknowledged that “he has impacted on people living there”. She said he had pleaded guilty to the offences. 

Judge Fay asked Sgt Kirby if the defendant was still coming to Garda attention. Sgt Kirby said there had been recent incidents in Kilkenny.  He said the defendant had 96 previous convictions and he had a victim impact statement from the man in the restaurant in Rathdowney. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said her client hadn’t come to attention in a while prior to the Kilkenny incidents. She noted the most serious incidents occurred in the restaurant and said her client had paid €300 in compensation. She said the man had serious mental health difficulties and was hoping to get residential treatment. He had been in a long term relationship which broke down, she said.  

“I would urge the court not to impose an immediate custodial sentence,” said Ms Fitzpatrick. 

Judge Fay said she was considering a deferred sentence subject to a number of strict conditions which would include a curfew, an exclusion from licenced premises and that he stay sober and attend treatment. She said the defendant would be jailed if he failed to adhere to the conditions and the case would be listed again in May. 

“I will consider suspending the sentence if he complies with all of these conditions,” said Judge Fay. She put the case back for a second call to enable the defendant to discuss the proposal. 

When the case was called again, Ms Fitzpatrick said her instructions were to finalise the case today. 

Judge Fay then sentenced the defendant to 11 months in prison and placed him under the supervision of the probation service for 18 months. She granted legal aid and fixed recognisance in case of appeal.