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. 18588Public order offence; criminal damage · Co. Laois · 28 Dec 2023

Man admits headbutting Portlaoise Garda Station screen, charges struck out

On 28 December 2023 Philip Kavanagh, 37, a man, headbutted the perspex screen at Portlaoise Garda Station in Portlaoise, County Laois, injuring himself, after going there to complain about being assaulted. He was arrested and later admitted in court being drunk, abusive and causing criminal damage. The case was reported in January 2024, with the tracker dating the report 17 January and the article byline 19 January. Judge Nicola Andrews struck out the charges once he paid €50 to the court poor box.

  1. Reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Philip Kavanagh, 37, headbutted the perspex screen at the public office and injured himself.
Where
The incident took place at Portlaoise Garda Station in County Laois.
When
The incident took place on 28 December 2023.
Cause
He had gone to the station to lodge a complaint about being assaulted.
Other details
  • He was intoxicated and abusive and had a cut over his eye when he arrived at the public office.
  • Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said he had 13 previous convictions.
  • His solicitor, Josephine Fitzpatrick, said he was assaulted in Harpur's Lane and his phone was stolen that night.
Investigation
He was arrested after attending the station.
Charges
The charges were a public order offence and criminal damage, and he admitted being drunk, abusive and causing criminal damage at the station.
In court
  • The court report was published on 19 January 2024, while the tracker dates the article 17 January 2024.
  • Judge Nicola Andrews said she would strike out the charges if he paid €50 to the court poor box.
Sentence
Once the €50 was paid, Judge Andrews struck out the case.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatHe headbutted the perspex screen and injured himself. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe man attended Portlaoise Garda Station to lodge a complaint about being assaulted. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe offences took place at Portlaoise Garda Station on December 28. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe accused admitted being drunk, abusive and causing criminal damage at Portlaoise Garda Station. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Nicola Andrews said she would strike out the charges on condition the man paid €50 to the court poor box. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceOnce the money was paid, Judge Andrews struck the case out. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherHe was intoxicated and abusive and had a cut over his eye when he arrived at the public office. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherGarda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the man had 13 previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherHis solicitor said he was the victim of an assault in Harpur's Lane and his phone was stolen that night. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 17 Jan2024
    Otherleinsterexpress.ie, follow-up
    Man headbutted Portlaoise Garda Station screen

    Court report on the case: the accused admitted the offences, a garda said he had a cut over his eye and 13 previous convictions, and the charges were struck out once €50 was paid to the court poor box. The year 2023 is inferred from the article's 'December 28 last' and its 19 January 2024 publication date.

    accused, Philip Kavanagh, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip Kavanagh