Thursday 5 November 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. 24142Public health regulation (facemask refusal) · Co. Kildare · 4 Jan 2021

Facemask refusal and assault case adjourned at Naas District Court

Sylwia Balecka, 42, a woman from Naas, was charged with an alleged breach of the Health Act and assault after she refused to wear a face mask and allegedly struck a staff member in the face at the Lidl store on Newbridge Road, Naas, on 4 January 2021. Her defence argued she is exempt from wearing a mask for anxiety reasons. The case was heard at Naas District Court on several dates, with the judge warning she could be jailed for contempt if she refused to wear a mask in court. The matter, which is fully contested, was adjourned to 20 April 2023.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court8 Jul
    3 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A woman allegedly refused to wear a face mask and assaulted a staff member in the face at a Lidl store.
Where
The incident occurred at the Lidl store on Newbridge Road, Naas, County Kildare.
When
The incident occurred on 4 January 2021.
Cause
The defence claims the woman is exempt from wearing a face mask for anxiety reasons.
Charges
She is charged with an alleged breach of the Health Act and assault.
In court
  • The case was heard at Naas District Court on multiple dates.
  • Judge Desmond Zaidan warned the woman could be jailed for contempt if she refused to wear a mask in court.
  • The case was adjourned to 20 April 2023.
Other details
  • The accused, Sylwia Balecka, is 41 or 42 years old, originally from Poland, of 71 Craddockstown Way, Naas.
  • The case is being fully contested.
  • There is a problem with the CCTV recording.
  • A translator was certified for the defendant's next court date.
31 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatSgt Jim Kelly claimed she was not wearing a face mask when she entered the store. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatWhen asked to wear a mask she refused and began recording the incident on her phone. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatShe assaulted a staff member in the face when she was asked to leave. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatSylwia Balecka, 41, of 71 Craddockstown Way, Naas, is the accused. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatSgt Jim Kelly told a previous hearing that the woman had no mask when she came in and denied a request to wear one. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatBarrister Aisling Murphy said wearing a mask gives the woman anxiety. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatThe accused denied a request to wear a facemask while shopping (kildarenow.com)
  • whereHer address is 71 Craddockstown Way, Naas. (kildarenow.com)
  • whereThe case was heard at Naas District Court (kildarenow.com)
  • whereThe incident occurred at the Lidl store on Newbridge Road in Naas (kildarenow.com)
  • whenThe court hearing took place on 3 November 2022 (kildarenow.com)
  • whenThe incident occurred on 4 January 2021 (kildarenow.com)
  • causeThe exemption is for anxiety reasons. (kildarenow.com)
  • chargeShe is being prosecuted for an alleged breach of the Health Act and assault. (kildarenow.com)
  • chargeShe is charged with an alleged breach of the Health Act on 4 January 2021 at the Lidl store, Newbridge Road, Naas. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtShe appeared in Naas District Court without a face covering. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe matter was adjourned to December 1 by Judge Desmond Zaidan. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe case was adjourned at Naas District Court on 1 December 2021. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtJudge Desmond Zaidan said he would not take medical evidence at face value. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe judge said he could send the woman to jail for contempt if she refused to wear a mask. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe judge said the woman would have to call a doctor to give evidence. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe judge said he could clear the court to hold the hearing in another room in Naas Courthouse. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe case was adjourned until 6 April 2022. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe case was adjourned for hearing to 20 April 2023 (kildarenow.com)
  • courtA translator was certified for the defendant's next court date (kildarenow.com)
  • otherHer solicitor said she is exempt from wearing a face mask for anxiety reasons. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThere is a problem with the CCTV recording. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe case is being fully contested. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe accused is 42 years old (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe accused is originally from Poland (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe defending solicitor is Tim Kennelly (kildarenow.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 Nov2022
    In courtkildarenow.com, follow-up
    Sitting Kildare court judge: ‘Do you need a translator for yourself?’

    Article reports the judge's frustration with the translator and the adjournment of the case to April 2023.

    accused, Sylwia Balecka, 42, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Sylwia Balecka
  2. 10 Dec2021
    In courtkildarenow.com, follow-up
    Woman declines to wear face mask in Kildare courtroom

    Details of the 1 December 2021 hearing where the accused declined to wear a mask in court, citing anxiety; Judge Zaidan adjourned to 6 April 2022 and warned she could be jailed for contempt.

    suspect, Sylwia Balecka, 41, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Sylwia Balecka
  3. 8 Jul2021
    In courtkildarenow.com, first report
    Woman allegedly assaulted Naas supermarket worker over Covid-19 mask

    Adds details of the court hearing including Sgt Jim Kelly's account of the incident, the defence's medical exemption argument (anxiety), a doctor's letter, CCTV issues, and confirmation the case is fully contested.

    accused, Sylwia Balecka, 41, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Sylwia Baleckavictim