Friday 30 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. 15680Refusal to provide a specimen and obstruction of gardaí · Co. Donegal · 17 Mar 2023

Man pleads guilty to refusing blood or urine sample and obstructing gardaí in Ballyshannon

Paul O'Mahony, a 44-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving on 17 March 2023 and, while in custody at Ballyshannon Garda Station in Donegal, refused to give a blood or urine specimen. He is charged with that refusal and with obstructing Sergeant Sean Smith in the execution of his duty, and reports say he threw a glass of water in the sergeant's face and verbally abused several gardaí. At Ballyshannon District Court on 18 October 2024, his solicitor said he would plead guilty, and the court heard he had no previous convictions. The judge adjourned the matter to 20 December to allow a probation report to be prepared, and no sentence has been reported yet.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court23 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • The man is reported to have thrown a glass of water in the face of a garda sergeant while in custody.
  • The man is reported to have subjected a number of gardaí to verbal abuse.
Where
The charges relate to events at Ballyshannon Garda Station, County Donegal.
When
The refusal to give a specimen of blood or urine happened on 17 March 2023.
Cause
The man was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.
Charges
  • He is charged with refusing to give a specimen of blood or urine.
  • He is charged with obstructing Sergeant Sean Smith in the execution of his duty on 18 March 2023.
In court
  • The case was heard at Ballyshannon District Court on Friday, 18 October 2024.
  • His solicitor told the court he would plead guilty to the offences, and the court heard he has no previous convictions.
Sentence
The judge adjourned the matter to 20 December to allow a probation report to be prepared, and no sentence has been reported.
Other details
The judge described the behaviour as 'beyond obnoxious', according to the report.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe man threw a glass of water in the face of a garda sergeant while in custody. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatThe man subjected a number of gardaí to verbal abuse. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe charges relate to events at Ballyshannon Garda Station. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe refusal to give a specimen of blood or urine happened on 17 March 2023. (donegallive.ie)
  • causeThe man was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with refusing to give a specimen of blood or urine. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeHe is charged with obstructing Sergeant Sean Smith in the execution of his duty on 18 March 2023. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Ballyshannon District Court on Friday, 18 October 2024. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtHis solicitor told the court that he was pleading guilty to the offences. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe court heard he had no previous convictions. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe judge adjourned the matter to 20 December to allow a probation report to be prepared. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 23 Oct2024
    In courtdonegallive.ie, first report
    Defendant’s verbal abuse and obstruction of gardaí was ‘beyond obnoxious’

    First report of the court appearance on 18 October 2024, with the defendant pleading guilty and the matter adjourned to 20 December for a probation report.

    accused, Paul O'Mahony, 44, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul O'Mahonyvictim, Sean Smith, irish (judged from name)Sean Smith