Wednesday 28 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. 6615Assault on gardaí; obstruction; threats to kill · Co. Cork · 4 Jan 2024

Woman jailed for assaulting garda and threatening his family in Bandon

On the afternoon of 4 January 2024, gardaí were called to Hernon's Service Station in Cloughmacsimon, Bandon, Co Cork, over an alleged theft of alcohol, and Sgt Kevin Heffernan attended. Laura Malone, 35, of no fixed abode, Killaloe, Co Clare, resisted arrest and assaulted the sergeant, and she threatened his wife and children. She was convicted of an obstruction charge, and on 17 January she was sentenced to four months at Ennis District Court. At Bandon District Court she was sentenced to five months, to begin after that term, and fined €100 for failing to appear at Killaloe District Court; the Bandon sentencing was reported on 3 February 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced3 Feb
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Laura Malone, a 35-year-old woman, resisted arrest and assaulted Sgt Kevin Heffernan.
  • Malone punched, scratched and kicked the sergeant and tried to bite him.
  • Malone threatened to harm the sergeant's wife and children and to find his house.
Where
The incident took place at Hernon's Service Station in Cloughmacsimon, Bandon, Co Cork.
When
The incident happened on the afternoon of 4 January 2024.
Cause
Gardaí were called about an alleged theft of alcohol from the service station shop.
Other details
  • Sgt Kevin Heffernan was on duty, responded to the call, and considered Malone so drunk she was a danger to herself and others.
  • Malone had nine previous convictions and had been sentenced to four months at Ennis District Court on 17 January.
  • Defence solicitor Myra Dineen said Malone is a mother of one child and had fallen into addiction, and Malone said she had alcohol and drug issues and was trying to address them.
  • Malone wrote a letter of apology to the sergeant, which she read to the court.
Charges
Malone was convicted of an obstruction charge, and three other charges were taken into consideration.
In court
Recognisance for appeal was fixed on Malone's own €100 bond and an independent surety of €1,500.
Sentence
  • Malone was sentenced at Bandon District Court to five months in prison, to begin after her previous four-month sentence is completed.
  • Malone was also fined €100 for failing to appear at Killaloe District Court.
18 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMalone resisted arrest and assaulted the sergeant. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatMalone punched, scratched and kicked the sergeant and tried to bite him. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatMalone threatened to harm the sergeant's children and wife and to find his house. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe incident took place at Hernon's Service Station in Cloughmacsimon, Bandon. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on the afternoon of 4 January 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeMalone was convicted of an obstruction charge. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThree other charges were taken into consideration. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtRecognisance for appeal was fixed on Malone's own €100 bond and an independent surety of €1,500. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceMalone was sentenced to five months in prison at Bandon District Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe five-month sentence is to begin after her previous four-month sentence is completed. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceMalone was also fined €100 for failing to appear at Killaloe District Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherGardaí were called about an alleged theft of alcohol at the service station. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherSgt Kevin Heffernan was on duty and responded to the call. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe sergeant considered Malone to be so drunk she was a danger to herself and others. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMalone had nine previous convictions and had already been sentenced to four months at Ennis District Court on January 17. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherDefence solicitor Myra Dineen said Malone is a mother of one child and had fallen into addiction. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMalone said she had alcohol and drug issues and was trying to address them. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMalone wrote a letter of apology to the sergeant, which she read to the court. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Feb2024
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Woman jailed for punching Garda in the face and threatening to kill his family

    Reports the sentencing of Laura Malone at Bandon District Court, including the sentence, the consecutive term, the fine, and her previous convictions and mitigation.

    convicted, Laura Malone, 35, female, named, irish (judged from name)Laura Malonevictim, Sgt. Kevin Heffernan, male, irish (judged from name)Sgt. Kevin Heffernan