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. 14811Assault on a garda · Co. Laois · 7 Aug 2024

Woman admits assaulting garda and intoxicated behaviour at Portlaoise train station

Michaela Connolly, a 26-year-old woman of Clogheen, Monasterevin, Kildare, admitted assaulting a garda and behaving aggressively during two incidents at Portlaoise Train Station, Laois. The first incident occurred at 12.05am on 7 August 2024, when Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said she was intoxicated and refused to leave a train, and she kicked a garda sergeant in the upper thigh area. She was arrested twice at the station, and in the second incident, an assault on a garda at Portlaoise Garda Station on 6 December 2024, she was pepper sprayed. In January 2025 the court heard her admissions, and the judge described the offences as very serious, referred her to probation services and ordered a probation report. No sentence has been imposed, and the case was adjourned to Portlaoise District Court on 9 June.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court24 Jan
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Michaela Connolly, 26, of Clogheen, Monasterevin, Kildare, admitted assaulting a garda and behaving aggressively during two incidents at Portlaoise Train Station.
  • She kicked a garda sergeant in the upper thigh area during the first incident.
  • On that date she also kicked a female garda in the hip.
  • During the second incident she was shouting, causing a scene and had to be arrested.
Charges
She admitted being intoxicated, threatening and abusive, and obstructing gardaí at Portlaoise Train Station on 7 August 2024.
When
  • The first incident took place at 12.05am at Portlaoise Train Station on 7 August 2024.
  • The second incident was an assault on a garda at Portlaoise Garda Station on 6 December 2024.
Cause
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said she was intoxicated and refused to leave a train during the first incident.
Other details
  • She had to be pepper sprayed during the second incident.
  • She had no previous convictions.
  • Her solicitor said she was using alcohol as a crutch at the time and has engaged with a psychiatrist.
Investigation
She was arrested twice at Portlaoise Train Station.
In court
  • The judge described the offences as very serious.
  • The judge referred her to probation services, asked that she be assessed for restorative justice and ordered a probation report.
Sentence
No sentence has been imposed, and the case was adjourned to Portlaoise District Court on 9 June.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA woman admitted assaulting a garda and behaving aggressively during two incidents at Portlaoise Train Station. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatShe was intoxicated, threatening and abusive, and obstructing gardaí at the station on that date. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe first incident occurred at 12.05am, and she was intoxicated and refused to leave a train. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatShe kicked a garda sergeant in the upper thigh area. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatDuring the second incident she was shouting and causing a scene and had to be arrested. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatShe had to be pepper sprayed during the second incident. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatShe kicked a female garda in the hip on that day. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe first incident took place at Portlaoise Train Station on 7 August 2024. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe second incident was an assault on a garda at Portlaoise Garda Station on 6 December 2024. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge described the offences as very serious. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge referred her to probation services and asked that she be assessed for restorative justice. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge ordered a probation report and adjourned the case to Portlaoise District Court on 9 June. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defendant had no previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherHer solicitor said she was using alcohol as a crutch at the time. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherHer solicitor said she has engaged with a psychiatrist. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 24 Jan2025
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Woman assaulted garda and was intoxicated at train station in Laois

    Court report on a guilty admission to two incidents (7 August and 6 December 2024). No sentence yet; a probation report was ordered and the case adjourned to 9 June. Different matter from existing case 12827 (deception charge at Naas).

    accused, Michaela Connolly, 26, female, named, irish (judged from name)Michaela Connollyvictim, Colin O'Leary, irish (judged from name)Colin O'Learyvictim, female