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. 30819Public order (failing to wear a face mask) · Co. Cork · 25 Jun 2021

Margaret Buttimer jailed for 90 days over face mask refusal at SuperValu, Bandon

Margaret Buttimer, 66, of Bandon, Co Cork, was sentenced to 90 days in prison at Bandon District Court on 12 July 2021 for refusing to wear a face mask at SuperValu on 25 June and 1 July 2021, with the judge citing her repeat offending as the reason for a custodial sentence.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced12 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMargaret Buttimer is 66 years old (irishtimes.com)
  • whatSuperValu manager Alan Owens testified that Buttimer refused to wear a mask when asked on each occasion (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGarda Theresa Lyons and Garda Ellen Crowley testified that Buttimer refused to wear a mask when asked (irishtimes.com)
  • whatButtimer had no recollection of pleading guilty to charges at Boots Pharmacy on 12 May and Aldi on 14 May (irishtimes.com)
  • whereButtimer lives at The Cottage, St Fintan's Road, Bandon, Co Cork (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeButtimer was charged with two counts of refusing to wear a mask at SuperValu, Riverview Shopping Centre in Bandon on 25 June and 1 July 2021 (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe charges alleged contravention of section 31A(1) of the Public Health Act 1947 as amended by 2020 legislation (irishtimes.com)
  • courtButtimer appeared at Bandon District Court (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge James McNulty convicted Buttimer of the SuperValu offences (irishtimes.com)
  • courtSentencing was adjourned for more than an hour to allow the judge to read psychiatric and psychological reports (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceButtimer was sentenced to 30 days imprisonment for the 25 June SuperValu breach (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceButtimer was sentenced to 60 days consecutive for the 1 July SuperValu breach (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceButtimer was sentenced to 14 days for the Boots Pharmacy and Aldi offences (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe court deemed the 14-day sentences served due to time in custody on remand (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceA three-week suspended sentence imposed on 24 May for the Clonakilty offence could be activated but was not (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe judge noted Article 43.2.2 of the Constitution limiting private property rights (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe court had previously imposed a suspended sentence and fine for a similar offence in Dunnes Stores in Clonakilty on 12 February (irishtimes.com)
  • otherButtimer's repeat offending disqualified her from the chance of doing community service (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe 1 July offence occurred while Buttimer was on bail for the earlier May offences (irishtimes.com)
  • otherButtimer had been in custody on remand for 12 days over breach of bail terms (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 Jul2021
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Grandmother jailed for 90 days over refusal to wear face mask

    Reports the full sentencing of Margaret Buttimer to 90 days (30 days for 25 June SuperValu, 60 days consecutive for 1 July SuperValu) plus 14 days for Boots and Aldi offences deemed served, with a three-week suspended sentence from the Clonakilty offence retained but not activated.

    convicted, Margaret Buttimer, 66, female, named, irish (judged from name)Margaret Buttimer