Ireland Pregnant woman sentenced for assaulting two gardaí in Portlaoise
On 9 August 2021, gardaí said a woman allegedly pushed, grabbed and scratched two female gardaí at Marian Avenue, Portlaoise, after a garda reported a woman had left the Aldi store in Portlaoise without paying for groceries. Helen Connors, who was 20 at sentencing, was convicted at Portlaoise District Court of one count of assaulting Garda Ailbhe Counihan, after pleading guilty; the second assault and the theft were taken into consideration. On 22 February 2024, Judge Nicola Andrews imposed a two-month sentence suspended for 12 months. The judge also fixed recognisance in case of appeal, which is the latest development reported.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced22 Feb
2 reports
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Helen Connors admitted assaulting two female gardaí and stealing groceries from Aldi in Portlaoise.
- Gardaí said she allegedly pushed, grabbed and scratched the two gardaí.
- Where
- The assaults took place at Marian Avenue, Portlaoise, and the theft took place at Aldi in Portlaoise.
- When
- The incident happened on August 9, 2021.
- Investigation
- A garda said a woman in white pants left the Aldi store without paying for a number of items.
- Garda Counihan and Garda O'Shea returned to Portlaoise Garda Station at 8.30pm and alleged they had been assaulted on Marian Avenue, and Garda Counihan said she responded to an allegation of theft from Aldi.
- Charges
- She was convicted of one count of assaulting Garda Counihan, and the second assault charge and the theft charge were taken into consideration.
- In court
- The case was heard at Portlaoise District Court before Judge Nicola Andrews on 22 February 2024, and the judge noted she pleaded guilty.
- Sentence
- The judge imposed a two-month sentence, suspended for 12 months, and fixed recognisance in case of appeal.
- Other details
- Her solicitor said she was 17 and pregnant at the time of the offence, and she was 20 when sentenced.
- A garda said she has previous convictions for road traffic offences and theft; one report attributes this to Sergeant Kirby.
25 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe accused admitted assaulting two female gardaí. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatShe also admitted stealing groceries from Aldi in Portlaoise on the same date. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- whatA garda said a woman in white pants had left the Aldi store without paying for a number of items. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatGardaí said she allegedly pushed, grabbed and scratched them. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatHelen Connors admitted assaulting two female gardaí. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatA garda said the defendant allegedly pushed, grabbed and scratched the gardaí. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe assaults took place at Marian Avenue in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereThe assault took place at Marian Avenue, Portlaoise. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on August 9, 2021. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe assault on gardaí took place on August 9, 2021. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationGarda Counihan said she responded to an allegation of theft from Aldi in Portlaoise. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeShe was convicted of one count of assaulting Garda Counihan. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeThe second assault charge and the theft charge were taken into consideration. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Portlaoise District Court before Judge Nicola Andrews. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Portlaoise District Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge noted that she was pleading guilty to the offence. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtShe was convicted on one count of assaulting Garda Counihan. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe judge imposed a two-month sentence, suspended for 12 months. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceShe was given a two-month sentence, suspended for 12 months. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherSergeant Kirby said she had previous convictions for road traffic offences and theft. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherHer solicitor said she was 17 when the incident occurred. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherHer solicitor said she was pregnant at the time of the offence. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe judge fixed recognisance in case of appeal. (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- otherHer solicitor said she was only 17 when the incident occurred. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherA garda said she has previous convictions for road traffic offences and theft. (offalyexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 23 Feb2024Pregnant woman assaulted two gardaí in 'nasty incident' in the Midlands
Court report of the sentencing at Portlaoise District Court. No existing case in the list matches this 2021 Portlaoise incident; the other Helen Connors cases concern theft in Kilkenny and Kildare.
convicted, Helen Connors, 20, female, named, irish (judged from name)Helen Connors - 22 Feb2024Pregnant woman assaulted two gardaí in Laois
Court report of the sentencing at Portlaoise District Court on 22 February 2024. The case is not in the existing list; the existing Helen Connors cases concern 2024 theft matters in Kildare and Kilkenny. The article says she was 17 at the time of the offence.
convicted, Helen Connors, 20, female, named, irish (judged from name)Helen Connorsvictim, Garda Ailbhe Counihan, female, irish (judged from name)Garda Ailbhe Counihan