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. 16296Wilful obstruction of traffic (public order) · Co. Dublin · 14 Aug 2024

Woman charged with obstructing traffic near Thornton Hall granted bail

Shirley Kidd, a woman in her 50s, was arrested on Wednesday 14 August 2024 near the Thornton Hall site in north County Dublin and charged over an alleged obstruction of traffic on the R135 at Coolquay. Reports describe the charges as public order offences, including wilful obstruction of a vehicle, threatening or abusive behaviour, and failing to comply with a garda direction to leave. On 15 August 2024 Judge Cephas Power ordered her to stay away from the site, refused a garda request to ban her from attending protests, and granted her legal aid and release on €200 bail. The latest development is that she must sign on at a garda station on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and is due at Balbriggan District Court on 9 September 2024, when she is expected to enter a plea.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested15 Aug
  3. Charged14 Aug
  4. In court15 Aug
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A woman was arrested and charged over an alleged obstruction of traffic near the Thornton Hall site.
Other details
  • The woman is named as Shirley Kidd in one report, and another report describes her only as in her 50s.
  • Gardaí were helping International Protection Accommodation Services and contractors enter the site as part of plans to use it for asylum seekers.
Where
  • The incident happened near Thornton Hall in north County Dublin, which has been earmarked to accommodate International Protection applicants.
  • The alleged obstruction took place on the R135 at Coolquay.
  • One report calls the site the Thornton Hall refugee centre.
When
The incident is dated 14 August 2024, and the woman was arrested on a Wednesday.
Charges
  • Gardaí charged her with wilful obstruction of the free passage of a vehicle, and reports describe the charges as public order offences.
  • She was also accused of threatening or abusive behaviour and failing to comply with a garda direction to leave the vicinity.
In court
  • On 15 August 2024 she appeared before Judge Cephas Power, who ordered her to stay away from the site.
  • The judge refused a garda request to ban her from attending protests.
  • She was granted legal aid and released on €200 bail.
  • Her bail conditions require her to sign on at a garda station on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
  • She is due at Balbriggan District Court on 9 September 2024, when she is expected to enter a plea.
16 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA woman was accused of obstructing traffic near the Thornton Hall site. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereA woman was arrested near Thornton Hall in north County Dublin. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe incident took place at the Thornton Hall refugee centre. (extra.ie)
  • whereThe obstruction happened near the Thornton Hall site in north County Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe woman was arrested on a Wednesday and held pending her court appearance. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeThe woman was charged with public order offences. (rte.ie)
  • chargeGardaí charged her with wilful obstruction of the free passage of a vehicle on the R135 at Coolquay on August 14, 2024. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeShe was also accused of engaging in threatening or abusive behaviour and failing to comply with a garda direction to leave the vicinity. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe woman was due to appear in court on the day of the article. (rte.ie)
  • courtJudge Cephas Power ordered her to stay away from the site. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe judge refused a garda request to ban her from attending protests. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtShe was granted legal aid and released on €200 bail. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtShe must sign on at a garda station on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtShe was ordered to appear at Balbriggan District Court on September 9, when she is expected to enter a plea. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherGardaí were helping International Protection Accommodation Services and contractors enter the Thornton Hall site. (rte.ie)
  • otherA woman was arrested. (extra.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 Aug2024
    In courtthejournal.ie, first report
    Woman accused of threatening behaviour and blocking vehicle near Thornton Hall

    First report of the charges against Shirley Kidd, her bail conditions and her next court date at Balbriggan District Court.

    accused, Shirley Kidd, 54, female, named, irish (judged from name)Shirley Kidd
  2. 15 Aug2024
    Arrestedextra.ie, follow-up
    Woman arrested after incident at Thornton Hall refugee centre

    Only the headline is available. The article text is a website search template with no report details.

    suspect, female
  3. 14 Aug2024
    Chargedrte.ie, follow-up
    Woman held over public order offences near Thornton Hall

    Adds that the woman was arrested near Thornton Hall, is in her 50s, and was charged with public order offences, with a court appearance that day. Does not name her.

    accused, 50s, female