Buncrana man pleads guilty to manslaughter of father-of-four in Clonmany incident

A Buncrana man has admitted the manslaughter of another man in Clonmany.

Kevin Grant confirmed his plea when he appeared before Judge John Aylmer at Letterkenny Circuit Court.

The 37-year-old, of Parkmore, Buncrana, is charged over the death of James Devine at Main Street, Clonmany, on May 12, 2024.

Mr Devine (66), a much-loved father-of-four from Raphoe, suffered catastrophic head injuries after being struck by a vehicle, which fled the scene. Mr Devine, of Drumucklagh, Raphoe, died at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin on May 15, 2024 and he was laid to rest in Drumoghill.

Asked by the court clerk to affirm a guilty plea in respect of four charges, Grant replied: “Yeah”.

Grant’s barrister, Mr Colm Smyth SC, said his client has previous convictions and added that a probation report would be “of some benefit”.

Judge Aylmer sought the preparation of a probation report and adjourned the matter until the next sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court in February, 2026.

Grant is charged that on May 12, 2024 that he did unlawfully kill one James Devine contrary to common law.

The late James Devine

He is further charged with three charges contrary to section 106 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961, namely: failing to report the occurrence of a collision; failing to keep the vehicle at the scene and failing to stop. 

Members of Mr Devine’s heartbroken family were present in court for the brief mention of the matter.

Last December, when Grant was brought before the District Court, Judge Sandra Murphy granted bail upon the accused entering into a bond of €5,000, with €3,000 to be lodged, and also an independent surety of €5,000 being entered, €3,000 of which also had to be lodged to the court.