Pair committed aggravated burglary in Kilmacrennan with slash hook and bat

Two Letterkenny men who committed an aggravated burglary while armed with a slash hook and a bat have been remanded in custody.

Brandon McGinley and Adrian Mitchell entered guilty pleas in respect of the incident when they appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court.

McGinley, a 25-year-old and 19-year-old Mitchell, both of Glenard Park, Long Lane, Letterkenny, have been in custody since their arrest in June.

They are each charged with aggravated burglary and with the production of an article at Gort na Ri, Kilmacrennan on June 9, 2025.

The two men, who sat side-by-side in the dock, spoke only to plead guilty before Judge John Aylmer.

McGinley and Mitchell are charged that they did commit a burglary and at the time had two weapons of intent, namely a handheld slash hook and a bat. The charge is contrary to section 13 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001.

They are also charged that while committing an offence of aggravated burglary and in the course of a dispute that they produced in a manner likely to unlawfully intimated another a handheld slash hook and a bat, being an article capable of inflicting serious injury.

The change is contrary to section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990

Ms Fiona Crawford BL, barrister for the State, said this matter represented a very recent return to the Circuit Court and the pleas should be considered as early.

Mr Simon Gillespie BL, for McGinley, sought the preparation of a probation and welfare report and also asked that legal aid be extended to cover a psychiatric report. McGinley, his barrister said, has “very significant mental health issues”,

Barrister for Mitchell, Mr Sean McGee BL, also asked that a probation and welfare report be prepared for his client. Mr McGee said that Mitchell is a “very young man” who is anxious to engage with the Probation Service.

Mr McGee added that Mitchell has “fairly significant mental health issues” and also asked for legal aid to be extended for a psychiatric report.

Judge Aylmer consented to the requests while McGinley and Mitchell were remanded in custody to the next session of Letterkenny Circuit Court.