Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 11023Assault · Co. Donegal · 5 Jan 2025

Buncrana woman pleads guilty to assaults, headbutting gardaí and cell damage

Anna Kelly, a 25-year-old woman of 15 Knockalla Drive, Buncrana, assaulted Rachel McCrossan and Chloe McCauley in the Atlantic Bar in Buncrana on January 5, 2025. She was arrested under Section 24 of the Public Order Act, and while in custody she headbutted gardaí Shauna Quinlivan and Colm Molloy and used concealed keys to damage a cell. In February 2026 she pleaded guilty at Buncrana District Court to assault, criminal damage and public order offences. The case was adjourned to May 14 for a probation and welfare report, and she was remanded on continuing bail.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court13 Feb
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Anna Kelly assaulted Rachel McCrossan in the Atlantic Bar, causing a bruise and swelling to her right eye.
  • Anna Kelly also assaulted Chloe McCauley in the Atlantic Bar.
  • Anna Kelly headbutted Garda Shauna Quinlivan in the patrol car, striking the left side of her jaw.
  • Anna Kelly headbutted Garda Colm Molloy in the custody area at Buncrana Garda Station, striking the bridge of his nose.
  • Anna Kelly used concealed keys to damage the viewing hatch of a cell and caused €300 worth of damage to a cell mattress.
Where
The assaults took place at the Atlantic Bar in Buncrana, Co. Donegal.
When
The assault at the Atlantic Bar was reported to gardaí at 1.40am on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Cause
Anna Kelly was highly intoxicated; her solicitor said drinking caused the outburst, and the assaults were described as unprovoked.
Investigation
  • Security staff at the Atlantic Bar identified the suspect as Anna Kelly.
  • Anna Kelly was arrested under Section 24 of the Public Order Act after she was highly intoxicated and aggressive.
Charges
  • Anna Kelly admitted two counts of assault causing harm under Section 3 and one count of assault under Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.
  • Anna Kelly pleaded guilty to criminal damage, and admitted threatening, insulting or abusive behaviour on Main Street, Buncrana, under Section 6 of the Public Order Act and being drunk and disorderly in public under Section 4.
In court
  • Anna Kelly pleaded guilty at Buncrana District Court in February 2026; she has no previous convictions.
  • The case was adjourned to May 14 for a probation and welfare report, and Anna Kelly was remanded on continuing bail.
18 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMs Kelly assaulted Rachel McCrossan in the bar, and Ms McCrossan had a bruise and swelling to her right eye. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatMs Kelly also assaulted Chloe McCauley in the bar. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatMs Kelly headbutted Garda Shauna Quinlivan in the patrol car, striking the left side of her jaw. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatMs Kelly headbutted Garda Colm Molloy in the custody area at Buncrana Garda Station, striking the bridge of his nose. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatMs Kelly used concealed keys to damage the viewing hatch of a cell. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatMs Kelly used the keys to cause €300 worth of damage to a cell mattress. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe assaults took place at the Atlantic Bar in Buncrana. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe assault at the Atlantic Bar was reported to gardaí at 1.40am on Sunday, January 5, 2025. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationSecurity staff at the Atlantic Bar identified the suspect as Anna Kelly. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationMs Kelly was arrested under Section 24 of the Public Order Act after she was highly intoxicated and aggressive. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeMs Kelly admitted two counts of assault causing harm under Section 3 and one count of assault under Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeMs Kelly pleaded guilty to criminal damage. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeMs Kelly admitted threatening, insulting or abusive behaviour at Main Street, Buncrana, under Section 6 of the Public Order Act. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeMs Kelly admitted being drunk and disorderly in public under Section 4 of the Public Order Act. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtMs Kelly has no previous convictions. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned to May 14 for a probation and welfare report. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtMs Kelly was remanded on continuing bail. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe assaults were unprovoked. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 13 Feb2026
    In courtdonegallive.ie, first report
    Young woman headbutted gardai after being arrested for assaulting two women in bar

    Court report of Anna Kelly's guilty pleas, the garda facts read in court, the defence plea in mitigation, and the adjournment to May 14 for a probation and welfare report.

    accused, Anna Kelly, 25, female, named, irish (judged from name)Anna Kellyvictim, Rachel McCrossan, female, irish (judged from name)Rachel McCrossanvictim, Chloe McCauley, female, irish (judged from name)Chloe McCauleyvictim, Shauna Quinlivan, female, irish (judged from name)Shauna Quinlivanvictim, Colm Molloy, male, irish (judged from name)Colm Molloy