Thursday 5 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. 29563Assault causing harm · Co. Dublin · 9 Sep 2020

Man sentenced for assault causing harm at Dublin rally

Michael Quinn, 30, a man from Ardee, Louth, struck Ruth O'Rourke, 58, on the head with a wooden post during an anti-lockdown rally on Kildare Street, Dublin 2, in September 2020. The victim had attended a city centre rally in support of front line workers when she was struck and fell to the ground. Quinn entered a guilty plea in June 2021 and was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in October 2021. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a three-year prison term with the final year suspended, describing the attack as cowardly.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced19 Oct
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Michael Quinn struck a woman on the head with a wooden post during an anti-lockdown rally.
  • The victim had attended a city centre rally in support of front line workers when she was struck and fell to the ground.
  • Hundreds of protesters turned towards the victim and her four friends, who included a teenager and two women in their 40s and 50s.
Where
The assault took place on Kildare Street, Dublin 2.
When
The incident occurred on 9 September 2020, though one report gives the date as 12 September 2020.
Charges
Quinn entered a guilty plea to assault causing harm in June 2021.
In court
The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Sentence
Judge Martin Nolan imposed a three-year prison term with the final year suspended on certain conditions.
Other details
  • Quinn has 48 previous convictions including assault, violent disorder, affray, burglary, theft and public order offences.
  • Judge Nolan described the attack as cowardly and the behaviour of Quinn and his associates after the attack as reprehensible.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMichael Quinn used a wooden post to strike a woman on the head during an anti-lockdown rally. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatThe victim attended a rally in the city centre in support of front line workers. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatA further protest against Covid lockdown regulations was taking place outside Leinster House. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatAfter being struck, the victim fell to the ground. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatHundreds of protesters turned towards the victim and her friends. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatBlood was running down the victim's head and face and soaking her clothes. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatThe victim's four friends included a teenager and two women in their 40s and 50s. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatQuinn entered a guilty plea in June 2021. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatQuinn has 48 previous convictions including assault, violent disorder, affray, burglary, theft and public order offences. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatQuinn suffers from mental health issues, takes anti-depressants, and alcohol is a feature in his life. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatDomestic violence and alcohol featured in Quinn's upbringing. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whereThe assault took place on Kildare Street, Dublin 2. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred on 9 September 2020. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Martin Nolan imposed a three-year prison term and suspended the final year on certain conditions. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherJudge Nolan described the attack as cowardly. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherJudge Nolan said the behaviour of Quinn and his associates after the attack was reprehensible. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 Oct2021
    Sentenceddundalkdemocrat.ie, first report
    Louth man who used wooden post to strike a woman during an anti-lockdown rally is jailed

    Sentencing report: Judge Martin Nolan imposed a three-year prison term with the final year suspended, describing the attack as cowardly and the subsequent behaviour of Quinn and his associates as reprehensible. Quinn has 48 previous convictions.

    victim, Ruth O'Rourke AKA Izzy Kamikaze, 58, female, irish (judged from name)Ruth O'Rourke AKA Izzy Kamikazeconvicted, Michael Quinn, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Quinn