Saturday 31 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. 19571Obstruction of gardaí; stolen property · Co. Kildare

Kildare court: child allegedly left in ditch as adults fled gardaí

On October 8 last, gardaí approached a car at Cleamore Road near Kildare town, and the three adults in it, Philomena Connors, 25, Helen Connors, 19, and Wayne O'Donoghue, 21, allegedly fled on foot, leaving a one-year-old child in a ditch. Gardaí allege the car had a strong smell of cannabis and that stolen property worth around €2,188 was found in it. The allegations of obstruction of gardaí and stolen property were made at Naas District Court on Thursday, January 19. Judge Desmond Zaidan adjourned the case for all three defendants to May 18 for hearing.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court9 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Gardaí allege that the three defendants fled the vehicle on foot.
  • A one-year-old child with the defendants was allegedly left in a ditch when the adults fled.
  • Stolen property worth around €2,188 was allegedly found in the car.
Other details
  • The child was allegedly left extremely upset.
  • Philomena Connors, 25, is listed with an address at Tyrrelstown, Dublin 15; Helen Connors, 19, and Wayne O'Donoghue, 21, are both listed with an address in Portlaoise, County Laois.
  • Philomena and Helen Connors are sisters, and Wayne O'Donoghue is Helen Connors's partner.
Where
The incident happened at Cleamore Road near Kildare town, County Kildare.
When
The incident happened on October 8 last, and no year is given in the sources.
Investigation
Gardaí approached the three defendants in a car.
Cause
The car allegedly had a strong smell of cannabis, which prompted the stop.
Charges
The allegations relate to obstruction of gardaí and stolen property.
In court
  • The allegations were made by gardaí at Naas District Court on Thursday, January 19.
  • Judge Desmond Zaidan adjourned the case for all three defendants to May 18 for hearing.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGardaí alleged that the three defendants fled the vehicle on foot. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatStolen property worth around €2,188 was allegedly found in the car. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatA one-year-old child with the defendants was allegedly left in a ditch. (kildarenow.com)
  • whereThe incident happened at Cleamore Road near Kildare town. (kildarenow.com)
  • whenThe incident happened on October 8 last. (kildarenow.com)
  • causeThe car allegedly had a strong smell of cannabis. (kildarenow.com)
  • investigationGardaí approached the three defendants in a car. (kildarenow.com)
  • chargeThe alleged fleeing would constitute an alleged obstruction offence. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe allegations were made by gardaí at Naas District Court on Thursday, January 19. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtJudge Desmond Zaidan adjourned the case for all three defendants to May 18 for hearing. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe child was allegedly left extremely upset. (kildarenow.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 9 Oct2023
    In courtkildarenow.com, first report
    Kildare court: Child was allegedly left in a ditch as adults fled gardaí

    Adds the alleged child-in-a-ditch incident, the cannabis smell that prompted the stop, the Naas District Court appearance and the adjournment of the case to May 18 for all three defendants. Also names Philomena Connors and gives the Cleamore Road location.

    accused, Philomena Connors, 25, named, irish (judged from name)Philomena Connorsaccused, Helen Connors, 19, named, irish (judged from name)Helen Connorsaccused, Wayne O' Donoghue, 21, named, irish (judged from name)Wayne O' Donoghuevictim, 1