A MAN who made threats to kill at Dungloe Post Office was handed down a ten-month prison sentence this week.
Philip Dodoo (24), who is currently in Castlerea prison, was charged with threats to kill or cause serious harm at Post Office, Main Street, Dungloe, on December 20, 2024. The offence is contrary to Section 5 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.
Dodoo was further charged with a breach of the Public Order Act at The Cope, Main Street, Dungloe on the same date.
Sergeant Jim Collins told Letterkenny District Court on Monday how on the day in question, Dodoo entered the post office in Dungloe and was in a queue.
“He became very agitated and Robert and Siobhan, postmasters, became very wary.”
Judge Ciaran Liddy asked if a Victim Impact Statement would be forthcoming but was told that both parties have since returned to work.
Solicitor for Dodoo, Mr Patsy Gallagher said the matter needed “a bit of clarification”.
He said the incident happened in Dungloe, a rural town in Donegal, and he pointed out that gardaí had been unaware that his client had been moved to the town.
Mr Gallagher told the court that his client has some health concerns and that facilities in such a rural town are not suited to his needs.
“This got a lot of traction on social media for such a small town,” said Mr Gallagher.
“My client is 24 years of age. He is an Irish national who has lived here all of his life. He has substantial mental health difficulties, for which he was receiving help but from the age of 18 that (help) went to the wind and he was taken out of the facility and was left in Dungloe.
“Some accountability has to be taken by State authorities here. He was planted in a small town on the west coast of Ireland and this came out of a fear that he would not get to the post office to get his benefit.”
Mr Gallagher pointed out that his client has been in custody since the incident.
“He has received treatment while in custody. Going forward, he is going to need assistance. He is registered with a local GP. I am in the courts’ hands.
Judge Ciaran Liddy handed Dodoo down a 10-month custodial sentence with the final three months suspended for one year, backdated to December 21, 2024. Dodoo was also ordered to enter into a bond of €100 nil cash.
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