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. 15290Assault causing harm · Co. Donegal · 10 Apr 2022

Woman given suspended sentence for assaulting Letterkenny garda

On 10 April 2022 at Lower Main Street, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, Vivienne Johnston, a 32-year-old woman, assaulted Garda Shane Walsh. She was charged with assault causing harm and three related offences, and was convicted of the assault at Letterkenny District Court. The other charges were taken into consideration. In December 2024, Judge Éiteáin Cunningham gave her an eight-month sentence, fully suspended for two years on condition she enter a bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced5 Dec
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Vivienne Johnston, a 32-year-old woman, was convicted of assaulting Garda Shane Walsh.
Where
The incident took place at Lower Main Street, Letterkenny, Co Donegal.
When
The incident took place on 10 April 2022.
Charges
  • Johnston was charged with assault causing harm to Garda Shane Walsh.
  • Johnston was also charged with wilfully obstructing a peace officer, failing to comply with a Garda direction, and being intoxicated in a public place.
In court
  • The case was heard at Letterkenny District Court, with the sentencing report dated 5 December 2024 in the article header and 6 December 2024 in the article text.
  • Judge Éiteáin Cunningham said the assault was at the upper end of the scale.
Sentence
  • Johnston was given an eight-month suspended sentence, fully suspended for two years.
  • The suspension is conditional on Johnston entering a bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for two years.
Other details
The other charges were taken into consideration.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatVivienne Johnston was convicted of assaulting Garda Shane Walsh. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe incident took place at Lower Main Street, Letterkenny. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe incident took place on 10 April 2022. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeJohnston was charged with assault causing harm to Garda Shane Walsh. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeJohnston was charged with wilfully obstructing a peace officer. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeJohnston was charged with failing to comply with the direction of a Garda. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeJohnston was charged with being intoxicated in a public place. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Letterkenny District Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe judge said the assault was at the upper end of the scale. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceJohnston was given an eight-month suspended sentence. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentence was fully suspended for two years. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceThe suspension was conditional on Johnston entering a bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for two years. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe other charges were taken into consideration. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 5 Dec2024
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Woman avoids prison after serious assault on Letterkenny Garda

    Court report on the sentencing of Vivienne Johnston, including the other charges taken into consideration and the conditions of the suspended sentence.

    convicted, Vivienne Johnston, 32, female, named, irish (judged from name)Vivienne Johnstonvictim, Shane Walsh, irish (judged from name)Shane Walsh