Jemima Burke's public order conviction quashed by High Court
Jemima Burke, a 30-year-old woman, was convicted of a public order offence by Judge Vincent Deane in Ballina District Court, Co Mayo, on 20 June 2024 after filming the coroner and Mayo University Hospital staff on the streets of Swinford following an inquest into a sepsis death. A garda arrested her, confiscated her phone, and detained her at Ballina Garda station for more than two hours before she was charged with two public order offences and fined €350 that evening. In August 2025, the High Court quashed the conviction, finding the District Court hearing was void because it was conducted as a peremptory hearing on the same day as the offence, and prohibited any further prosecution.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Acquitted14 Aug
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Jemima Burke filmed the coroner and several Mayo University Hospital staff on the streets of Swinford following an inquest into a man's death from sepsis.
- Where
- The incident took place in Swinford, Co Mayo, and the case was heard in Ballina District Court.
- When
- The incident and conviction occurred on 20 June 2024, and the High Court quashed the conviction on 14 August 2025.
- Investigation
- A garda arrested Ms Burke, confiscated her phone, and detained her in a cell at Ballina Garda station for more than two hours.
- Charges
- She was charged with two public order offences relating to a breach of the peace.
- In court
- Judge Vincent Deane convicted her in Ballina District Court that evening and fined her €350.
- Ms Justice Sara Phelan in the High Court found the District Court acted in excess of jurisdiction and the hearing was void.
- Other details
- She refused to sign a bail bond.
- The judge concluded Ms Burke was not entitled to an award of compensatory damages.
- Sentence
- The High Court quashed the conviction and prohibited further prosecution.
9 statements extracted from the articles
- whatJemima Burke was convicted of a public order offence by Judge Vincent Deane in Ballina District Court, Co Mayo. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe incident involved Ms Burke filming the coroner and several Mayo University Hospital staff on the streets of Swinford. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA garda arrested Ms Burke, confiscated her phone and detained her in a cell at Ballina Garda station for more than two hours. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeShe was charged with two public order offences relating to a breach of the peace. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe DPP was not opposed to the conviction being quashed but recommended it be sent back to the District Court for a different judge. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMs Justice Sara Phelan found the District Court acted in excess of jurisdiction and the hearing was void. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe District Court hearing was held that evening and she was fined €350. (irishtimes.com)
- otherShe refused to sign a bail bond. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe judge concluded Ms Burke was not entitled to an award of compensatory damages. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 14 Aug2025Jemima Burke’s public order conviction quashed after she wins High Court review
High Court quashed the original public order conviction and prohibited further prosecution, finding the District Court hearing was void due to the judge's error in conducting a peremptory hearing on the same day as the offence.
accused, Jemima Burke, 30, female, named, irish (judged from name)Jemima Burke