Wednesday 28 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. 6000Public order offence · Co. Mayo · 20 Jun 2024

High Court grants Jemima Burke leave to challenge public order conviction

Jemima Burke, a 30-year-old woman, was arrested, charged and convicted of a public order offence on 20 June 2024 after attending an inquest in Swinford, Co Mayo, into the death of a sepsis patient at Mayo University Hospital. She was charged with two public order offences relating to a breach of the peace, and Judge Vincent Deane convicted her at Ballina District Court of one, with the other taken into consideration, and fined her €350. Mr Justice Garrett Simons granted her leave to bring judicial review seeking to quash the conviction, and the judge said there 'would appear to be some strength' to her claim that her constitutional rights were breached. The case was then returned to the High Court for a hearing date.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court25 Nov
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Jemima Burke was arrested, charged and convicted of a public order offence within hours on 20 June 2024.
  • She says the coroner told her she had no right to film anyone and that she was intervening with his privacy and was the scum of the earth.
When
She attended an inquest in Swinford, Co Mayo, on 20 June 2024.
Where
The inquest was held in Swinford, Co Mayo, and concerned a death later found in a river in Castlebar.
Other details
  • The inquest concerned a sepsis patient at Mayo University Hospital who spent 42 hours on a trolley and went missing while in hospital care.
  • The judge said there 'would appear to be some strength' to her claim that her constitutional rights were breached, and noted the unusual speed of the original proceedings.
Charges
She was charged with two public order offences relating to a breach of the peace.
In court
  • Judge Vincent Deane convicted her at Ballina District Court of one public order offence, with the other taken into consideration.
  • She refused to sign a €100 bail bond with conditions not to speak to the coroner or hospital staff or attend further inquest hearings.
  • Mr Justice Garrett Simons granted her leave to bring judicial review proceedings seeking to quash the conviction, as reported on 25 November 2024.
  • The matter was returned to the High Court for a hearing date.
Sentence
She was fined €350.
Investigation
She was cross-examined by Garda Inspector Naomi de Rís.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe coroner told her she had no right to film anyone. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe coroner also told her she was intervening with his privacy and was the scum of the earth. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenShe attended an inquest in Swinford, Co Mayo, on 20 June 2024. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeShe was charged with two public order offences relating to a breach of the peace. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMr Justice Garrett Simons granted Jemima Burke leave to bring judicial review proceedings seeking to quash her conviction. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtShe refused to sign a bail bond set at €100 with conditions that she would not speak to the coroner or any hospital staff or attend further inquest hearings. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Deane convicted her of one of the public order offences, with the other taken into consideration, and fined her €350. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtShe was subject to cross examination from Garda Inspector Naomi de Rís. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe matter was put before the High Court again on Tuesday for a hearing date. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe inquest concerned the death of a sepsis patient at Mayo University Hospital who spent 42 hours on a trolley, went missing while in hospital care and was later found dead in a river in Castlebar. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Nov2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    High Court judge says there is apparent strength to Jemima Burke’s claim of rights breach

    Reports that Mr Justice Simons granted leave for judicial review, noted the unusual speed of the original proceedings, and the matter was returned to the High Court on Tuesday for a hearing date.

    convicted, Jemima Burke, 30, female, named, irish (judged from name)Jemima Burke