Ireland Teacher settles High Court claim against Galway garda over broken arm
Denise Callinan, 28, a teacher from Co Leitrim, settled a High Court personal injury claim against the Garda Commissioner moments before a 12-person jury was due to deliver a verdict on 12 February 2026, over a broken arm she allegedly sustained during an altercation at Mill Street Garda Station, Galway, on 19 October 2019. Judge Tony O'Connor struck out the case on consent and ordered the Garda Commissioner to pay Callinan's legal costs.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court13 Feb
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports15 statements extracted from the articles
- whatDenise Callinan, 28, from Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim, sued the Garda Commissioner over a broken arm. (irishtimes.com)
- whatShe claimed a male garda twisted and broke her arm in an early-morning altercation. (irishtimes.com, galwaybeo.ie)
- whatCallinan was brought to the station following her earlier arrest under public order legislation. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie, galwaybeo.ie)
- whatDenise Callinan, 28, from Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim, sued over injuries she allegedly sustained in an incident at a Galway Garda Station. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatCallinan alleged that a male Garda twisted and broke her arm. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatDenise Callinan, 28, is a teacher from Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim. (galwaybeo.ie)
- whereThe incident took place at Mill Street Garda station, Galway. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident took place at Mill Street Garda Station in Galway. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe incident occurred at Mill Street Garda Station in Galway. (galwaybeo.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred on 19 October 2019. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie, galwaybeo.ie)
- courtA 12-person jury was due to return with a verdict when the settlement was announced. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe jury started deliberating on Wednesday morning. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie, galwaybeo.ie)
- courtThe parties resolved the case moments before a 12-person jury was due to return with a verdict. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe parties settled moments before the 12-person jury was due to return with a verdict. (galwaybeo.ie)
- otherCallinan was represented by barristers Seamus Breen, Niall Buckley and Michael J Clancy, and solicitor Aisling Harrison of Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie, galwaybeo.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 13 Feb2026Teacher with claim against Galway garda settles minutes before court verdict due
The case settled moments before the jury was due to return with a verdict; the judge struck out the case and ordered the Garda Commissioner to pay Callinan's legal costs. Callinan declined to disclose settlement details but said she was 'extremely happy' with the compromise.
victim, Denise Callinan, 28, female, irish (judged from name)Denise Callinansuspect, male - 13 Feb2026Teacher who clamed Garda twisted her arm settles court action at last minute
The case settled moments before the jury was due to return with a verdict; Judge Tony O'Connor struck out the case on consent and ordered the Garda Commissioner to pay Callinan's legal costs. Callinan said she was 'extremely happy' with the compromise.
victim, Denise Callinan, 28, female, irish (judged from name)Denise Callinansuspect, male - 12 Feb2026Teacher who claimed garda broke her arm settles case shortly before verdict
Case settled and struck out by Judge Tony O'Connor moments before the 12-person jury was due to deliver its verdict; Garda Commissioner ordered to pay Callinan's legal costs.
victim, Denise Callinan, 28, female, irish (judged from name)Denise Callinansuspect, male