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. 11885Threatening or abusive behaviour · Co. Laois · 21 Sep 2022

Woman fined €450 for abusive behaviour towards gardaí in Portlaoise

Mary Ellen Carty, 28, pleaded guilty at Portlaoise District Court to threatening and abusive behaviour towards gardaí on Dublin Road, Portlaoise, on 21 September 2022. Judge Susan Fay fined her €450 and gave her three months to pay.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced4 Dec
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe incident took place on Dublin Road, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe incident took place on 21 September 2022. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • causeThe car tax had expired and the car was seized. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe woman was charged with engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe woman pleaded guilty at Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Susan Fay fined the woman €450 and gave her three months to pay. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe woman was stopped while driving a Ford Mondeo on Dublin Road at 1.20pm. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe woman became abusive and called gardaí pigs. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe garda said the woman had 34 previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defence said the woman was sick with pneumonia when she was stopped and that another car had previously been taken from her. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defence said the woman was acting out of illness and frustration and had just had a meltdown. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 4 Dec2025
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Woman had ‘meltdown’ and called gardaí ‘pigs’ when stopped in Laois

    Reports the court outcome: guilty plea, fine of €450 with three months to pay, the garda evidence of the roadside stop and abusive remarks, and the defence mitigation.

    convicted, Mary Ellen Carty, 28, female, named, irish (judged from name)Mary Ellen Carty