Letterkenny man charged with assaulting Gardai and lighting fire in Garda van

A young Letterkenny man who assaulted three Gardai and also set fire to a Garda patrol van has been remanded in custody.

Donal Kelly appeared by videolink at Letterkenny District Court to face a number of charges.

He faces three different charges of assault to Gardai including two at Letterkenny University Hospital and another at Letterkenny Garda Station.

The 26-year-old, with an address at Glencar House, Glencar, Letterkenny, is charged with assaulting Garda Damien Maughan during the course of his duty at the emergency department at Letterkenny University Hospital on July 29, 2024.

On the same date and at the same location Kelly is also charged with assaulting Garda Neil Kemmy in the course of his duty.

Both charges are Contrary to Section 19 (1) (a) and (2) of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994.

On the same date, Kelly is charged with assaulting Garda Peter Hughes at Letterkenny Garda Station during the execution of his duty.

This charge is Contrary to Section 19 (1) (a) and (2) of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994.

Kelly is further charged with damaging Garda property.

He is charged that on July 29 in a prisoner cell in an official Garda patrol van parked at Letterkenny Garda Station without lawful excuse did damage property.

Kelly is charged after a "cloth was lit creating smoke inside the cell and a tube of white painter's chalk was burst open covering parts of the cell in a white substance and cell requires professional cleaning."

This charge is Contrary to Section 2 (1) of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991.

Kelly is also charged with a number of alleged thefts.

He is charged that on July 29th at Sports Direct in Letterkenny he did steal clothing and footwear to the value of €325, a charge Contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001.

On the same date he is charged with handling stolen goods to the value of €250 at the carpark of the Radisson Blu Hotel in Letterkenny.

The items included a quantity of clothing with price tags still attached, four mobile phone power banks, one set of ear phones and two tins of spray paint.

All charges are Contrary to Section 17 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act of 2001.

Garda Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that there are new matters to come before the court which will require directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The case was adjourned until August 22, 2024 for directions.