Friday 30 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. 14331Assault · Co. Offaly · 12 May 2019

Tullamore man jailed for spitting at Gardaí

Joe Guinan, a man from Tullamore, pleaded guilty at Tullamore District Court to spitting in a Garda's eye on 12 May 2019 on Station Road, Portarlington. Gardaí were called to that incident, and Guinan had a hand laceration when he spat while being taken to an ambulance. On 1 December 2021 he was arrested for his own safety after being intoxicated in public, and in a cell at Tullamore Garda Station he is reported to have damaged a mattress and spat at a Garda. Judge Andrew Cody sentenced him to six months' imprisonment, as reported by Offaly Live on 6 March 2025.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced6 Mar
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Joe Guinan, a man from Tullamore, was convicted at Tullamore District Court for spitting in a Garda's eye.
  • On 1 December 2021 Guinan was intoxicated in public and was arrested for his own safety.
  • In the cell, Guinan is reported to have damaged a mattress, spat at a Garda and thrown a cup of water over a Garda.
When
  • The first incident happened on 12 May 2019.
  • A second incident happened on 1 December 2021.
Where
  • The first incident happened on Station Road, Portarlington.
  • The second incident is reported to have taken place in a cell at Tullamore Garda Station.
Cause
Guinan had a laceration to his hand and spat in a Garda's eye while being taken to an ambulance.
Investigation
Gardaí were called to an incident on Station Road.
In court
The case was heard at Tullamore District Court.
Sentence
Judge Andrew Cody sentenced Guinan to six months' imprisonment.
Other details
  • Defence solicitor Brian Duffy said Guinan accepts the behaviour was outrageous and unacceptable.
  • Guinan had recently spent a week at Portlaoise Psychiatric Services before the 2021 incident.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatJoe Guinan was convicted at Tullamore District Court for spitting in a Garda's eye. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatOn 1 December 2021 Guinan was intoxicated in public and was arrested for his own safety. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatWhile in a cell at Tullamore Garda Station, Guinan damaged a mattress. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatGuinan spat at a Garda in the cell and threw a cup of water over a Garda. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe spitting incident happened on Station Road, Portarlington. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe spitting incident happened on 12 May 2019. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenA second incident happened on 1 December 2021. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • causeGuinan had a laceration to his hand when he spat in a Garda's eye while being taken to an ambulance. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí were called to an incident on Station Road. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Tullamore District Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Andrew Cody sentenced Guinan to six months' imprisonment. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherDefence solicitor Brian Duffy said Guinan accepts the behaviour was outrageous and unacceptable. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherGuinan had recently spent a week in Portlaoise Psychiatric Services before the 2021 incident. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 6 Mar2025
    Sentencedoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Prison sentence for Offaly man who spat in Garda's eye

    Reports a court sentence of six months' imprisonment for spitting at gardaí on two occasions (May 2019 and December 2021), with defence mitigation about mental health and family.

    convicted, Joe Guinan, 29, male, named, irish (judged from name)Joe Guinan