Owen McDonagh cleared of assault after ear-biting accusation

A Donegal man has been found not guilty after standing trial over an allegation that he bit part of another man’s ear off. The verdict clears Owen McDonagh of the assault charge, following a case that focused on what happened during the confrontation. The defence argued that McDonagh acted in self-defence. According to the account presented in court, the other man, Tom Ward, produced a knife during the incident. The defence relied on that detail in explaining McDonagh’s actions and challenging the allegation against him. The charge centred on the claim that McDonagh bit part of Ward’s ear. The case was heard at trial, where the competing accounts and the circumstances surrounding the encounter were considered before the verdict was reached. McDonagh was ultimately acquitted. The report does not provide further details about the jury’s deliberations or describe what happened between the men beyond the allegation and the defence’s claim that a knife had been produced. The outcome means the assault accusation did not result in a conviction.