Sunday 1 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. 0286Public order · Co. Offaly · 15 Sep 2026

Legal aid granted to man charged over public order offence at Tullamore

A man in his 60s was arrested under the Public Order Act shortly after midday on 15 September 2026 after being stopped by gardaí as he tried to make his way to Taoiseach Micheál Martin at the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Vincent Harrington (60), a small farmer from Boyle, Co. Roscommon, was charged with a breach of Section 6 of the Public Order Act and released to appear at District Court. No one was injured in the incident. At Tullamore District Court on 28 October 2026, Judge Andrew Gubbins granted Harrington legal aid, and his solicitor said a hearing would be required.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested16 Sep
  3. Charged16 Sep
    2 reports
  4. In court28 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A man was stopped by gardaí as he tried to make his way to Taoiseach Micheál Martin and was arrested arising out of his interaction with the Garda.
Where
The incident occurred at the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.
When
The arrest took place shortly after 12pm on Tuesday, 15 September 2026.
Investigation
The man was brought to a Garda station in County Offaly and investigations are ongoing.
Charges
Vincent Harrington (60) of Boyle, Co. Roscommon, is charged with a breach of Section 6 of the Public Order Act.
In court
  • The case was heard at Tullamore District Court on 28 October 2026 before Judge Andrew Gubbins, who granted legal aid.
  • His solicitor Aisling Maloney said a hearing would be required.
Other details
  • No one was injured in the incident.
  • The accused was described as a small farmer earning €150 a week.
22 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man was arrested after an incident involving the Taoiseach at the Ploughing Championships. (extra.ie)
  • whatA man in his 60s was arrested under the Public Order Act (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe incident involved Taoiseach Micheál Martin (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatA man in his 60s was charged over an alleged attempted assault while approaching the Taoiseach. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe man was stopped by gardaí as he tried to make his way to the Taoiseach. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHe was arrested arising out of his interaction with the Garda. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA Roscommon man is charged with a breach of the Public Order Act. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe incident occurred at the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe incident occurred at the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Co Offaly. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereHe was brought to a Garda station in Co Offaly. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe offence is linked to the National Ploughing. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe arrest took place shortly after 12pm on Tuesday, 15 September 2026 (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe man was arrested at the event shortly after midday on Tuesday. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe man was brought to a Garda Station in County Offaly (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationInvestigations are ongoing (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe man was arrested under the Public Order Act. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe man was charged and released to appear before the District Court at a later date (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtHe was charged and released to appear before a sitting of the District Court at a later date. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was heard at Tullamore District Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherNo one was injured in the incident (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe accused was granted legal aid. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe accused earns €150 a week. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 28 Oct2026
    In courtoffalyexpress.ie, its first report
    'Small farmer' accused of offence at National Ploughing gets legal aid

    Court hearing at Tullamore District Court where the accused was granted legal aid. The article states he earns €150 a week. No incident date is given.

    accused, male
  2. 16 Sep2026
    Chargedirishtimes.com, its first report
    Man (60s) charged over alleged assault attempt while approaching Taoiseach at ploughing championships

    Man in 60s charged under the Public Order Act after alleged attempted assault while approaching Taoiseach at the National Ploughing Championships; no injuries; released to appear at District Court.

    victim, Micheál Martin, male, irish (judged from name)Micheál Martinsuspect, 60s, male
  3. 16 Sep2026
    Chargedirishmirror.ie, its first report
    Man, 60s, arrested after incident involving Taoiseach at Ploughing Championships

    Initial report of arrest and charge; no details of the specific incident beyond it involving the Taoiseach at the Ploughing Championships. Investigations ongoing.

    suspect, 60s, malevictim, Micheál Martin, male, irish (judged from name)Micheál Martin
  4. 16 Sep2026
    Arrestedextra.ie, first report
    Man arrested after incident involving Taoiseach at Ploughing Championships

    The article body contains only template code, so the headline is the only substantive text. It gives no date, location, offence or details of the incident.

    suspect, male