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. 15961Abusive behaviour towards gardaí · Co. Laois · 21 Sep 2022

Woman admits calling gardaí 'pigs' at Portlaoise traffic stop

Mary Ellen Carthy (26) admitted calling gardaí 'pigs' and telling them to drop dead after she was stopped while driving on Dublin Road, Portlaoise, Laois, on 21 September 2022. She was stopped for having no insurance or tax, and the vehicle was seized. She appeared before Portlaoise District Court, where Judge Nicola Andrews ordered a probation report. The case was adjourned to 20 January 2025.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court25 Sep
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Mary Ellen Carthy (26) admitted calling gardaí pigs after being pulled over in Portlaoise.
  • She is reported to have verbally abused gardaí on the phone, saying they were only pigs, and to have told them to drop dead.
Where
The stop happened at Apple Green, Dublin Road, Portlaoise, County Laois.
When
The stop took place on 21 September 2022.
Cause
She was stopped for not having insurance or tax.
Investigation
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said she was stopped while driving on the Dublin Road on the date in question.
Other details
  • The vehicle was seized because there was no tax or insurance.
  • Her solicitor said she had been attending Portlaoise Hospital at the time and was extremely stressed.
  • Her solicitor said she was apologetic and that it was a mistake on her part.
  • She told the court she was caring for a number of young children.
In court
  • She appeared before Portlaoise District Court, and the case was reported on 29 September 2024.
  • The court was told she has 54 previous convictions.
  • Judge Nicola Andrews asked her why she had missed previous court appearances.
Sentence
Judge Nicola Andrews ordered a probation report and adjourned the case to 20 January 2025.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA woman admitted calling gardaí pigs after being pulled over in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatShe verbally abused gardaí, saying they were only pigs, while on the phone. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatShe also told gardaí to drop dead. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe stop happened at Apple Green, Dublin Road, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe stop took place on 21 September 2022. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • causeShe was stopped for not having insurance or tax. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGarda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the woman was stopped while driving on the Dublin Road on the date in question. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtShe appeared before Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe woman has 54 previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Nicola Andrews ordered a probation report and adjourned the case to 20 January 2025. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe vehicle was being seized because there was no tax or insurance. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherHer solicitor said she had been attending Portlaoise Hospital at the time and was extremely stressed. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherHer solicitor said she was apologetic and that it was a mistake on her part. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherShe told the court she was caring for a number of young children. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Sep2024
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Woman called gardaí ‘pigs’ at traffic stop in Laois

    First report of this case. Article published 29 September 2024 on Leinster Express/Laois Live. Reports the defendant's admission at Portlaoise District Court, the judge's order for a probation report, and the adjournment to 20 January 2025.

    accused, Mary Ellen Carthy, 26, female, named, irish (judged from name)Mary Ellen Carthy