Áine O'Connor jailed for two years for driving at garda and carrying him on bonnet in Co Cork
On 26 October 2023, Áine O'Connor, 42, drove a car at Garda Karol Mellamphy at Cloghroe, Blarney, Co Cork, carrying him more than 200m on the bonnet after two males in the car assaulted him when he identified himself. The garda was off duty but wearing some items of his uniform. O'Connor pleaded guilty at Cork Circuit Criminal Court to a charge under section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997. On 17 May 2025, she was jailed for two years, with the judge noting a headline sentence of three years reduced by 12 months for the guilty plea.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced17 May
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- O'Connor drove a car at Garda Mellamphy and carried him more than 200m on the bonnet.
- Two males in the car assaulted the garda when he identified himself, after which O'Connor got into the driver's seat and drove straight at him.
- Garda Mellamphy was off duty but wearing some items of his uniform.
- Where
- The incident occurred at Cloghroe, Blarney, Co Cork.
- When
- The incident occurred at around 7.30am on 26 October 2023.
- Weapon
- A red Renault Megane.
- Charges
- O'Connor was charged under section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.
- In court
- She pleaded guilty at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.
- Sentence
- On 17 May 2025, she was jailed for two years, with a headline sentence of three years reduced by 12 months for the guilty plea.
- Other details
- Defence counsel said O'Connor was intoxicated at the time, and she had written a letter of apology to Garda Mellamphy.
- The garda's victim-impact statement described ongoing physical and psychological effects, and the judge noted she knew he was a garda as an aggravating factor.
17 statements extracted from the articles
- whatO'Connor drove a car at a garda and carried him more than 200m on the bonnet (irishtimes.com)
- whatGarda Mellamphy was off duty but wearing some items of his uniform (irishtimes.com)
- whatTwo males in the car assaulted the garda when he identified himself (irishtimes.com)
- whatO'Connor got into the driver's seat and drove straight at the garda, knocking him onto the bonnet (irishtimes.com)
- whatDefence counsel said O'Connor was intoxicated at the time (irishtimes.com)
- whatShe had written a letter of apology to Garda Mellamphy (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe garda's victim-impact statement described ongoing physical and psychological effects (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe garda stated he lives in pain every day (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe judge noted she knew he was a garda as he had identified himself, an aggravating factor (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident occurred at Cloghroe, Blarney, Co Cork (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident occurred on 26 October 2023 (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident occurred at around 7.30am (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe charge was under section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 (irishtimes.com)
- courtShe pleaded guilty at Cork Circuit Criminal Court (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceShe was jailed for two years (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge believed the offence merited a headline sentence of three years (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceTwelve months were suspended due to the guilty plea, leaving two years to serve (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 17 May2025Woman jailed for driving at garda and carrying him a distance on bonnet of car
Sentencing report: O'Connor received a headline sentence of three years with 12 months suspended for her guilty plea, leaving two years to serve. The court heard the garda's victim-impact statement describing ongoing physical and psychological effects.
victim, Karol Mellamphy, male, irish (judged from name)Karol Mellamphyconvicted, 42, female, irish (judged from name)