Thursday 29 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. 9535Assault and criminal damage · Co. Laois · 25 Feb 2026

Woman accused of assault and damaging Christmas lights in Laois

Nikita Grogan (37), a woman of Ballymorris Manor, Portarlington, is accused of causing €285 in damage to Christmas lights and a gutter at Ballymorris Manor in County Laois on February 25, 2026, and of assaulting a man causing harm there on February 26, 2026. The alleged victim is a man whose name and age are not given. Gardaí were granted additional time while awaiting DNA samples, and the state sought two or three months. Grogan appeared before Portlaoise District Court, reported on May 18, 2026, where Judge Susan Fay adjourned the matter to September 21 for DPP directions.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court18 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A woman is accused of causing €285 in damage to Christmas lights and a gutter.
  • A woman is accused of assaulting a man causing harm.
Where
The alleged offences took place at Ballymorris Manor in County Laois.
When
The criminal damage is alleged to have happened on February 25, 2026, and the assault on February 26, 2026; the key facts list February 25, 2026 as the incident date.
Other details
  • The suspect is Nikita Grogan, a 37-year-old woman of 16 Ballymorris Manor, Portarlington; her nationality is not stated.
  • The alleged assault victim is a man; his name and age are not given.
  • The case was reported by leinsterexpress.ie on May 18, 2026.
Charges
Grogan is accused of assault causing harm and criminal damage; these are allegations.
Investigation
  • Gardaí were granted additional time in relation to the alleged assault and criminal damage.
  • Gardaí were awaiting DNA samples.
In court
  • Grogan appeared before Portlaoise District Court, as reported on May 18, 2026.
  • Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby told Judge Susan Fay that the state was looking for two or three months because these things take time.
  • Judge Susan Fay adjourned the matter to September 21 for DPP directions.
Sentence
No sentence has been reported.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA woman is accused of causing €285 in damage to Christmas lights and a gutter. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatA woman is accused of assaulting a man causing harm. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe alleged offences took place at Ballymorris Manor. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí were granted additional time in relation to the alleged assault and criminal damage. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí were awaiting DNA samples. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe woman appeared before Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe state sought two or three months. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge adjourned the matter to September 21 for DPP directions. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 18 May2026
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Woman accused of assault and damaging Christmas lights in Laois

    Reports the Portlaoise District Court appearance of Nikita Grogan, the state's request for two to three months for DNA evidence, and the adjournment to September 21 for DPP directions.

    accused, Nikita Grogan, 37, female, namedNikita Groganvictim, male