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. 18490Assault on gardaí · Co. Offaly · 18 Jun 2020

Offaly man sentenced to two years for assaulting two female Gardaí

On June 18, 2020, Declan Mulhall, a 54-year-old man from Cloghan, Offaly, was charged with assaulting Garda Emer Phelan at Tullamore Garda Station. He was also charged with assaulting Detective Garda Lucy McLoughlin at the same station on October 15, 2020, and pleaded not guilty to both assault charges. On April 14, 2023, he pleaded guilty to possessing a small amount of cannabis. The judge found him guilty of both assaults and sentenced him to two years' imprisonment, made up of two consecutive 12-month terms, as reported on January 25, 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced25 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Declan Mulhall, a 54-year-old man from Cloghan, Offaly, was charged with assaulting two female Gardaí.
Where
The first assault was on Garda Emer Phelan at Tullamore Garda Station.
When
  • The assault on Garda Phelan is alleged to have taken place on June 18, 2020.
  • The sentencing was reported on January 25, 2024.
Cause
Mr Mulhall allegedly spat in Garda Phelan's face while she was in charge of his detention.
Charges
  • Mr Mulhall was also charged with assaulting Detective Garda Lucy McLoughlin at Tullamore Garda Station on October 15, 2020.
  • Mr Mulhall pleaded guilty to possessing a small amount of cannabis on April 14, 2023.
In court
  • Mr Mulhall pleaded not guilty to the assault charges.
  • The judge found Mr Mulhall guilty of the assault on Garda Phelan and of assaulting Detective Garda McLoughlin.
  • Sources differ on the court: one says Tullamore District Court and another says Tullamore Circuit Court.
Sentence
  • Mr Mulhall was sentenced to two years imprisonment in total.
  • The sentence for the assault on Garda Phelan is 12 months' imprisonment, and the sentence for the assault on Detective Garda McLoughlin is a further 12 months, to run consecutively.
Investigation
The court heard that Mr Mulhall was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving, though the report does not give the rest of this account.
Other details
Mr Mulhall had 52 previous convictions.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe first assault was on Garda Emer Phelan at Tullamore Garda Station. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe assault on Garda Phelan took place on June 18, 2020. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • causeMr Mulhall spat in Garda Phelan's face while she was in charge of his detention. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe was also charged with assaulting Detective Garda Lucy McLoughlin at Tullamore Garda Station on October 15, 2020. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeMr Mulhall pleaded guilty to possessing a small amount of cannabis on April 14, 2023. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtMr Mulhall pleaded not guilty to the assault charges. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge found Mr Mulhall guilty of the assault on Garda Phelan. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge found Mr Mulhall guilty of assaulting Detective Garda McLoughlin. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceDeclan Mulhall was sentenced to two years imprisonment. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentence for the assault on Garda Phelan is 12 months' imprisonment. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentence for the assault on Detective Garda McLoughlin is a further 12 months, to run consecutively. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherMr Mulhall had 52 previous convictions. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Jan2024
    Sentencedoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Offaly man sentenced to two years imprisonment for assaulting two female Gardaí

    Reports the sentencing: two years in total, made up of two consecutive 12-month terms for assaulting Garda Emer Phelan and Detective Garda Lucy McLoughlin at Tullamore Garda Station, plus a cannabis possession plea.

    convicted, Declan Mulhall, 54, male, named, irish (judged from name)Declan Mulhallvictim, Emer Phelan, female, irish (judged from name)Emer Phelanvictim, Lucy McLoughlin, female, irish (judged from name)Lucy McLoughlin