Man jailed for life for beating wife to death in Dundalk

A life sentence has been handed down to a man for murdering his wife in their home in Dundalk three years ago.

Michael McDonagh (36) of College Manor, Hoey's Lane, Dundalk Co Louth pleaded guilty before the Central Criminal Court to the murder of his wife Jacqueline McDonagh on August 29th, 2012.

The court heard how the mother of three had been “cruelly taken from her family” when she was “brutally beaten to death” by her husband of 15 years, despite several unsuccessful attempts to call her father. The court heard her mobile phone was found under her body.

Counsel for Mr McDonagh, Caroline Biggs SC, told the Central Criminal Court she had been expecting to seek a jury trial this morning but her instructions had changed in the previous few minutes.

Before Justice Paul Carney, Det Insp Patrick Marry told the court about a call being placed to the emergency services in Dundalk in August 2012.

On arrival, the ambulance personnel found an unresponsive female with “suspicious injuries”.

Ms Biggs explained to the court how Mr McDonagh, who was known as a "bare knuckle boxer" was "in a very distressed state" and pleaded with the ambulance service to help.

CCTV footage from a number of hours previous to the murder, show the father of three getting out of his car in good form and “dancing”.

The family had been at a family party previously and alcohol had been consumed. The defence told the court, the couple had been in “good form” at the party and there had been “no issues.”

Justice Paul Carney handed down a life sentence to Michael McDonagh backdated to September 1 2012.