Attacks on two off-duty gardaí, a junior doctor, and late-night workers in Cork resulted in one attacker receiving a jail sentence of two years and two months for his part in the violence. The victims were significantly outnumbered in the assaults, and their garda IDs did not stop the attacks. The incidents occurred on different dates in October 2021. The defendant was previously penalized for similar offenses, and the judge stated that he needed to give up drinking as it was making him violent.

A man has been sentenced to two years and two months in jail for his involvement in violent attacks on two off-duty police officers, a doctor, and late-night workers, which occurred in Cork city on different dates in October 2021. The victims, who were significantly outnumbered in the assaults, were shown badges identifying them as members of An Garda Síochána in one incident, but this did nothing to prevent the violence. The defendant, 24-year-old Paul McDonagh, pleaded guilty to violent disorder, assault causing harm, robbery, and attempted robbery. Judge Helen Boyle expressed concern that McDonagh had been penalised only months before for similar offences in the district court, but this did not deter him from acting as he did. She recommended that he give up drinking as it was making him a violent person. Defence senior counsel Elizabeth O’Connell said McDonagh wanted to apologise for the assaults.