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. 15236Assault causing harm · Co. Donegal · 15 May 2022

Woman pleads guilty to assaulting Garda in Ballyshannon

On May 15, 2022, at Cavangarden, Ballyshannon, Fiona Shovlin, a 24-year-old woman from Donegal Town, assaulted Garda Joanne Doherty and caused her harm. Shovlin was charged under section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against The Person Act 1997. On December 11, 2024, she pleaded guilty at Donegal Circuit Court, where she spoke only to confirm her plea and her barrister said she is engaging with mental health services. Judge John Aylmer adjourned sentencing to the next session of Donegal Circuit Court.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted11 Dec
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A Donegal Town woman pleaded guilty to assaulting a female Garda and causing her harm.
Other details
  • The victim is Garda Joanne Doherty, a female Garda.
  • The accused is Fiona Shovlin, a 24-year-old woman from Donegal Town, of Brookfield.
Where
The incident happened at Cavangarden, Ballyshannon.
When
The incident happened on May 15, 2022.
Charges
The offence is contrary to section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against The Person Act 1997.
In court
  • Shovlin appeared at Donegal Circuit Court on December 11, 2024, and admitted assaulting Garda Joanne Doherty.
  • Shovlin spoke only to confirm her guilty plea, and her barrister said she is engaging with mental health services.
  • Her barrister sought a certificate to cover a psychiatric report.
Sentence
Judge John Aylmer adjourned the case for sentencing until the next session of Donegal Circuit Court.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA Donegal Town woman pleaded guilty to assaulting a female Garda and causing her harm. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe incident happened at Cavangarden, Ballyshannon. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on May 15, 2022. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe offence is contrary to section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against The Person Act 1997. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtFiona Shovlin, 24, appeared at Donegal Circuit Court and admitted assaulting Garda Joanne Doherty. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe accused woman, of Brookfield, Donegal Town, spoke only to confirm her guilty plea. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtHer barrister said she is engaging with mental health services and sought a certificate to cover a psychiatric report. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceJudge John Aylmer adjourned the case for sentencing until the next session of Donegal Circuit Court. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 11 Dec2024
    Convicteddonegallive.ie, first report
    Woman pleads guilty to assault of Garda in Ballyshannon

    Reports a guilty plea at Donegal Circuit Court to assaulting a Garda in May 2022. Sentencing was adjourned to the next session.

    convicted, Fiona Shovlin, 24, female, named, irish (judged from name)Fiona Shovlinvictim, Joanne Doherty, female, irish (judged from name)Joanne Doherty