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. 9832Public order offence · Co. Kilkenny · 29 Jun 2025

Woman convicted of public order offence after chasing neighbour with sweeping brush in Kilkenny

On June 29, 2025, Zahara Hassin, a 48-year-old woman, chased her neighbour James Nolan with a sweeping brush at Hollybank Lawn in Kilkenny and shouted abusive language at him. The dispute began when she told him to get off her property, meaning the path. Garda David Bourke attended the scene and took statements from the Nolans and other witnesses. Ms Hassin fully contested the charge but was convicted of a public order offence by Judge Geraldine Carthy at Kilkenny District Court and fined €500, with recognisance fixed in case of an appeal. Kilkenny People reported the conviction and sentence on 30 April 2026 in one version and 1 May 2026 in another.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted30 Apr
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A woman chased her neighbour with a sweeping brush and shouted abusive language at him.
Where
The incident happened at Hollybank Lawn in Kilkenny.
When
  • The incident happened on June 29, 2025.
  • Kilkenny People reported the conviction on 30 April 2026 in one version and 1 May 2026 in another.
Weapon
A sweeping brush was used during the chase.
Cause
The dispute began when Ms Hassin told the neighbour to get off her property, meaning the path.
Investigation
Garda David Bourke attended the scene and took statements from the Nolans and other witnesses.
Charges
Ms Hassin was charged with using threatening, abusive and insulting language, a public order offence.
In court
Ms Hassin fully contested the charge and was convicted by Judge Geraldine Carthy at Kilkenny District Court.
Sentence
She was fined €500, with recognisance fixed in case of an appeal.
Other details
  • James Nolan gave evidence that he is a neighbour of Ms Hassin.
  • Her solicitor said she is 48, originally from Kenya, and has lived at the same Kilkenny property for 20 years.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA woman chased her neighbour with a sweeping brush and shouted abusive language at him. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whereThe incident happened at Hollybank Lawn in Kilkenny. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on June 29, 2025. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • causeThe dispute began when Ms Hassin told the neighbour to get off her property, meaning the path. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationGarda David Bourke attended the scene and took statements from the Nolans and other witnesses. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • chargeShe was found guilty of using threatening, abusive and insulting language. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtMs Hassin fully contested the charge but was convicted by Judge Geraldine Carthy at Kilkenny District Court. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentenceShe was fined €500. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherRecognisance was fixed in case of an appeal. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherHer solicitor said she is 48, originally from Kenya, and has lived in the same Kilkenny property for 20 years. (kilkennypeople.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 Apr2026
    Convictedkilkennypeople.ie, first report
    Woman chased neighbour with sweeping brush in Kilkenny estate - shouted "disgusting" language - court told

    Court report on the conviction and sentence of Zahara Hassin. No existing case in the list matches this incident.

    convicted, Zahara Hassin, 48, female, named, non-irish (judged from name)Zahara Hassinvictim, James Nolan, male, irish (judged from name)James Nolanvictim, AnnMarie Nolan, female, irish (judged from name)AnnMarie Nolan