Convicted garda killer who endangered another garda in Donegal withdraws appeal

A convicted garda killer who was jailed for almost five years after he accelerated towards another garda in a separate incident at a Covid-19 checkpoint, almost running him over, has withdrawn an appeal against the severity of his sentence.

Martin McDermott approached a checkpoint at Raymoghey, Manorcunningham around 10.20pm on the night of April 14, 2020 but accelerated towards Garda Kilcoyne, forcing him to jump out of the way.

He was pursued by gardaí before eventually crashing, but assaulted Garda Kilcoyne by kicking him in the chest after he was found hiding in undergrowth.

McDermott, of Abbey Park, Manorcunningham, Co Donegal, pleaded guilty at Donegal Circuit Court in March 2022 to a range of charges including endangerment, assault, drink-driving and driving without a licence.

Judge John Aylmer sentenced McDermott to five and a half years with the final nine months of the sentence suspended.

Addressing lawyers for McDermott before his sentence appeal hearing was due to get underway at the court of appeal on Monday, Court President Mr Justice George Birmingham said these were offences committed by someone who has a previous conviction for the manslaughter of a guard in an “almost carbon copy incident”.

The 39-year-old was previously jailed for seven years for the manslaughter of Garda Gary McLoughlin in 2009.

McDermott’s barrister asked for some time to speak to his client and Mr Justice McDermott agreed to this, telling him to do so and “we’ll deal with whatever situation arises”.

After the court rose for a brief time, the defence lawyer informed the court that following consultation with his client, McDermott wished to withdraw his appeal.

Mr Justice Birmingham said the court would permit it, adding: “This was very serious offending, with someone with extraordinary prior offending for something of a very similar nature; almost carbon copy…so he’s being very sensible.”