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. 18382Assault causing harm · Co. Mayo · 18 Apr 2023

Laois man pleads guilty to assaulting Garda in Castlebar Courthouse

On 18 April 2023, a 38-year-old man from Ballylinan, Co Laois, named in reports as Domhnall Cosgrave, grabbed female Garda Katie Conlon by the hair and knocked her to the ground in a courtroom at Castlebar Courthouse, Co Mayo. He had been in custody since the incident. On 7 February 2024 he pleaded guilty at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm to Garda Conlon. Sentencing was adjourned to 27 June 2024 so that Probation Service and psychiatric reports could be prepared, and he was remanded in custody to that date.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted7 Feb
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The man grabbed the female Garda by the hair and pulled her to the floor, which one report describes as knocking her to the ground.
Where
The incident took place in a courtroom at Castlebar Courthouse, County Mayo.
When
The assault happened on 18 April 2023.
Other details
  • The Garda feared he would tear her scalp or hit her head off a bench before he was pulled off her.
  • The accused is a 38-year-old man from Ballylinan, Co Laois, named in reports as Domhnall Cosgrave.
  • The accused had been in custody since the incident.
  • The defence said he has no previous convictions in Ireland but has minor UK convictions.
Charges
He pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Garda Katie Conlon.
In court
He pleaded guilty at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court, as reported on 7 February 2024.
Sentence
  • Sentencing was adjourned to 27 June 2024 so that Probation Service and psychiatric reports could be prepared.
  • He was remanded in custody to be sentenced on 27 June 2024.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe accused pulled the Garda by the hair, swung her around and pulled her to the floor. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe incident took place in a courtroom at Castlebar Courthouse. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe assault happened on 18 April 2023. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Garda Katie Conlon. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe accused appeared before Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court and pleaded guilty. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceSentencing was adjourned to 27 June 2024 so reports could be prepared. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe Garda feared the defendant would tear her scalp or hit her head off a bench before he was pulled off her. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe accused had been in custody since the incident. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defence said the accused has no previous convictions in Ireland but has minor UK convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 7 Feb2024
    Convictedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Laois man pleads guilty to assaulting female Garda in Castlebar Courthouse

    Reports a guilty plea at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court; sentencing adjourned to 27 June 2024 for Probation Service and psychiatric reports.

    victim, Katie Conlon, female, irish (judged from name)Katie Conlonconvicted, Domhnall Cosgrave, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Domhnall Cosgrave