Donegal mother and son plead guilty to making threats to kill

A mother and son have pleaded guilty to assault and making threats to kill.

Brian and Ciara McLaughlin appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court where they faced a number of charges.

The pair were originally due to stand trial before a judge and jury after earlier pleading not guilty to the charges.

However, they were re-arraigned and pleaded guilty to the charges.

Both have addresses at Moyle Road in Milford.

Brian McLaughlin, aged 32, is charged with assaulting a Patrick Montgomery at Ard Clogher, Carndonagh on May 14th, 2019.

Ciara McLaughliln, aged 50, is charged with the same offence at the same location and on the same date.

The accused man is also charged with making threats to kill or cause serious harm through another person to Bernard 'Barney' Logue.

Ms McLaughlin is also charged with making threats to kill or cause serious harm through another person to Lisa Holmes.

Barrister for Mr McLaughlin, Mr Peter Nolan, BL, said his client had a history of psychiatric issues and has had treatment and that a probation report would be of benefit to him.

Mr Nolan added that his client also had addiction issues but had seen an addiction counsellor, was doing extremely well and asked for a report for the court on this.

Barrister for Ms McLaughlin, Mr Sean McGee, BL, said his client had some previous convictions but they went back to 2016 and were not as of a serious nature as the charges before the court.

He also requested a probation report for his client.

Judge John Aylmer agreed to all requests and adjourned the cases for sentencing to the October session of the court.