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. 20646Resisting arrest · Co. Donegal · 18 Jun 2023

Suspended sentence for Derry woman who kicked and tried to headbutt Garda

Michaela Shields, a 34-year-old woman from Circular Road, Derry, was involved in an incident in the early hours of Sunday, 18 June 2023, when her car was stopped at the Dry Arch Filling Station in County Donegal. She was arrested on foot of an active bench warrant and charged with resisting arrest, being intoxicated in a public place, and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour in a public place. On 18 June 2023 she was brought before a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court, where the judge imposed a three-month prison sentence wholly suspended for two years, which is the latest development.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced18 Jun
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Shields became verbally aggressive to gardaí, struggled and resisted arrest.
  • It was reported that Shields kicked a Garda twice in the stomach in the patrol car.
  • During the journey to Letterkenny Garda Station, Shields lunged and tried to headbutt the Garda.
Where
Shields's car was stopped at the Dry Arch Filling Station in County Donegal.
When
The incident happened at about 12.35am on Sunday, 18 June 2023.
Other details
  • Shields, 34, is from Circular Road, Derry.
  • Shields was said to be highly intoxicated.
  • The judge said Shields had assaulted a Garda, although no assault charge was before the court.
Cause
Shields was arrested on foot of an active bench warrant when she identified herself to a Garda.
Charges
Shields was charged with resisting arrest, being intoxicated in a public place, and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour in a public place.
In court
On 18 June 2023 Shields was brought before a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court.
Sentence
The judge imposed a three-month prison sentence, wholly suspended for two years.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe woman became verbally aggressive to gardaí and struggled and resisted arrest. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatThe woman kicked a Garda twice in the stomach in the patrol car. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatDuring the journey to Letterkenny Garda Station the woman lunged and tried to headbutt the Garda. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe woman's car was stopped at the Dry Arch Filling Station. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened in the early hours of Sunday, 18 June 2023. (donegallive.ie)
  • causeThe woman was arrested on foot of an active bench warrant when she identified herself to a Garda. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe woman was charged with resisting arrest, being intoxicated in a public place, and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour in a public place. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe woman was brought before a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a three-month prison sentence, wholly suspended for two years. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe woman was said to be highly intoxicated. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe judge said the woman had assaulted a Garda, although no assault charge was before the court. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 18 Jun2023
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Suspended sentence for Derry woman who kicked and tried to headbutt Garda

    First report of the incident and the sentence imposed at Letterkenny District Court.

    convicted, Michaela Shields, 34, female, named, irish (judged from name)Michaela Shields