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. 17252Assault on gardaí; criminal damage; public order · Co. Laois · 27 Dec 2023

Woman found drunk in Portlaoise kicks and scratches gardaí, court applies Probation Act

On 27 December 2023, gardaí responded to reports of a woman lying in the middle of the road near the roundabout at Market Place, Portlaoise, County Laois. The 58-year-old woman, Winnie McDonagh, was arrested at Market Square, where two nurses had been attending her and she became aggressive as gardaí arrived. She later appeared before Portlaoise District Court and admitted being drunk and aggressive, assaulting three gardaí and causing criminal damage to a garda van. The latest development, reported on 14 May 2024, is that Judge Nicola Andrews applied the Probation Act.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced14 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
Where
The woman was found drunk lying on the road near the roundabout at Market Place, Portlaoise.
When
  • Gardaí responded to the reports on 27 December 2023.
  • Gardaí arrested her at Market Square in Portlaoise on 27 December 2023.
Investigation
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said gardaí responded to reports of a woman lying in the middle of the road.
Cause
Two nurses were attending the woman when she became aggressive as gardaí arrived.
What happened
  • She scratched the face of a garda, leaving a mark, as she was placed in a garda van; one source says a female garda sergeant and another says a garda.
  • She kicked gardaí in the shins during the arrest; one source says two gardaí and another says one garda.
Charges
She admitted being drunk and aggressive, assaulting three gardaí and causing criminal damage to a garda van.
In court
She appeared before Portlaoise District Court.
Sentence
Judge Nicola Andrews applied the Probation Act, as reported on 14 May 2024.
Other details
She had no previous convictions and had written a letter of remorse.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatShe scratched the face of a female garda sergeant, leaving a mark, when being placed in the garda van. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatShe kicked two other gardaí in the shins during the arrest. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe woman was found drunk on the road in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenShe was arrested by gardaí at Market Square in Portlaoise on 27 December 2023. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • causeTwo nurses were attending to the woman, who became aggressive when gardaí arrived. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí responded to reports of a woman lying in the middle of the road near the roundabout at Market Place, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeShe admitted being drunk and aggressive, assaulting three gardaí and causing criminal damage to a garda van. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtShe appeared before Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Nicola Andrews applied the Probation Act. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherShe had no previous convictions and had written a letter of remorse. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 14 May2024
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, follow-up
    Woman found drunk on road in Laois kicked gardaí in the shins

    Court report on the sentencing of a woman arrested in Portlaoise in December 2023; the Probation Act was applied. No existing case in the list matches this incident.

    accused, Winnie McDonagh, 58, female, named, irish (judged from name)Winnie McDonaghvictim