A 52-year-old individual named John “Smurf” McDonagh snr, who resides at Weir Road, Kilbannon, Tuam, Co Galway, has been sentenced to two-year imprisonment. His sentencing is connected with his involvement in a violent outbreak that engulfed the funeral of an elderly female in Galway. The unfortunate event occurred at Tuam Cemetery in September 2021 and was overseen by Judge Brian O’Callaghan at the Galway Circuit Court.
The judge noted the atmosphere of intense fear and horror that had been generated as a consequence of a violent clash between two known rivalling families – the Ward and McDonagh families. The gravity of the situation led to the presence of approximately 30 police officers, enlisted from the armed Regional Support Unit, Traffic Corps, Galway City, and Tuam.
During the unsettling encounter, a local priest had attempted to calm the situation, though his pleas were ignored. In a bid for personal safety, he sought cover behind nearby trees to evade the chaotic violence swirling around him.
Parts of the episode were brought to light once again during the sentencing hearing of the convict – John ‘Smurf’ McDonagh snr, who is also a father to nine children. The jury, following a five-day trial earlier that month, unanimously found McDonagh guilty of violent disorder but acquitted him of charges of assault causing harm and producing an object during the dispute.
Garda John Kelly provided an account of the incident, stating the presence of dangerous items like knives and baseball bats, with many seeking shelter behind trees to avoid potential harm. Several people, numbering up to seven, were reportedly hospitalised due to injuries, and one had to be air-transported to University Hospital Galway.
While Gda Kelly acknowledged none of the weapons used were in the possession of John McDonagh snr, efforts were made to mediate the decades-long dispute between the feuding families following the damaging episode at Tuam Cemetery. Edward McDonagh, John’s brother who had no connection with the violent outbreak, explained attempts to resolve the feud were progressing well and producing hopeful results.
In issuing the judgement, Judge O’Callaghan presented evidence demonstrating that John McDonagh snr and another individual were the chief instigators, with the defendant taking on a key role in the faction. The court took into consideration that the defendant’s five previous offences were somewhat long-standing, his most recent conviction dating back to 2001. Judge O’Callaghan stated the court was left with no choice but to conclude a jail sentence was necessary. Nevertheless, the court would recognise attempts made to maintain peace amid the rival familial disputes. The judge levied a prison sentence of four and a half years, with the final two and a half years deferred on specific terms.