Ireland Ballinamore man spared jail over Garda assaults during mental health crisis
On 13 August 2024 Gardaí were called to AIB Bank in Ballinamore, and Thomas Mullan, a 70-year-old man from Ballinamore, was arrested; a flint knife was later found in his shorts pocket at Carrick-on-Shannon Garda Station. A second incident followed on 13 November 2024 on Main Street, Ballinamore, and both occurred after he stopped taking his prescribed medication. On 16 June at Carrick-on-Shannon District Court, Judge Éiteáin Cunningham imposed two-month sentences for knife possession and for assaulting a Garda, both suspended for 12 months, with the knife sentence conditional on a €200 peace bond and continued engagement with mental health services. The latest development is the sentencing report published by the Leitrim Observer on 17 July 2026.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced17 Jul
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Thomas Mullan, a 70-year-old man from Ballinamore, Co Leitrim, has been spared an immediate prison sentence.
- Where
- The first incident followed a Garda call to AIB Bank in Ballinamore.
- The second incident took place on Main Street, Ballinamore, after Gardaí received reports of a man walking through traffic and stopping vehicles.
- When
- The first incident occurred on 13 August 2024 and the second on 13 November 2024.
- Cause
- Both incidents occurred after Mullan stopped taking his prescribed medication.
- Weapon
- A search at Carrick-on-Shannon Garda Station found a flint knife in the pocket of his shorts, and he had no lawful reason for carrying it.
- Investigation
- Mullan was arrested and taken to Carrick-on-Shannon Garda Station after the first incident.
- Charges
- The charges were assault on Gardaí and possession of a knife.
- One source says Mullan punched Garda Mulholland twice in the head while being searched at Carrick-on-Shannon Garda Station; the article names the Garda as Garda Muldoon and says Mullan attempted to assault them during the first incident.
- In court
- The case was heard at Carrick-on-Shannon District Court on 16 June before Judge Éiteáin Cunningham.
- Sentence
- Mullan received a two-month prison sentence for knife possession, suspended for 12 months, conditional on a €200 peace bond under Section 99 and continued engagement with mental health services.
- A two-month prison sentence for assaulting the Garda was also suspended for 12 months.
- Other details
- Mullan had no previous convictions, and the judge said both incidents appeared entirely out of character.
- Mullan had re-engaged with psychiatric services since the incidents.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThomas Mullan, 70, from Ballinamore, has been spared an immediate prison sentence. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- whereThe first incident followed a Garda call to AIB Bank in Ballinamore. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- whenThe first incident occurred on August 13, 2024. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- whenThe second incident occurred on November 13, 2024. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- causeBoth incidents occurred after he stopped taking his prescribed medication. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- weaponA search at Carrick-on-Shannon Garda Station found a flint knife in his shorts pocket. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- chargeHe assaulted Garda Mulholland by punching him twice in the head while being searched at Carrick-on-Shannon Garda Station. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Carrick-on-Shannon District Court on June 16. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- sentenceHe received a two-month prison sentence for the knife possession, suspended for 12 months. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- sentenceThe suspension was conditional on a €200 peace bond under Section 99 and continued engagement with mental health services. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- sentenceA two-month prison sentence for assaulting Garda Mulholland was also suspended for 12 months. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- otherHe had no previous convictions. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- otherThe judge said both incidents appeared entirely out of character. (leitrimobserver.ie)
- otherHe had re-engaged with psychiatric services since the incidents. (leitrimobserver.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 17 Jul2026Ballinamore man spared jail after Garda assaults during mental health crisis
Sentencing report for a court case covering two incidents: 13 August 2024 at AIB Bank, Ballinamore, and 13 November 2024 on Main Street, Ballinamore. The article gives the court date as June 16 and the publication date as 17 July 2026. No existing case matches.
convicted, Thomas Mullan, 70, male, named, irish (judged from name)Thomas Mullanvictim, Garda Mulholland, irish (judged from name)Garda Mulholland