Sunday 1 November 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. 21332Assault on gardaí · Co. Offaly · 1 May 2022

Woman pleads guilty to assaulting gardaí in Birr

On 1 May 2022 at 2am, Sasha Townsend, a woman the articles give as 41 and her defence solicitor says is 20, was involved in an incident with gardaí in Emmet Square and Birr Garda Station in Birr, Co Offaly, while they were bringing a male prisoner in. She was charged with assaulting three gardaí, and at Tullamore Court in the week before 26 April 2023 she pleaded guilty to those assaults and to threatening, insulting and abusive behaviour and failing to comply with a garda direction. The judge said the case would be dealt with leniently if she paid €1,000 to the Garda Benevolent Fund by the adjournment date. The case was adjourned to 19 July 2023.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court27 Apr
  5. Convicted26 Apr
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Sasha Townsend, a woman, became aggressive toward gardaí and would not leave the scene.
  • In Birr Garda Station, Townsend is said to have slapped one garda across the face and hit three gardaí with punches and kicks.
  • The gardaí suffered minor injuries, and Townsend is said to have verbally abused them.
Where
The incident happened in Emmet Square and Birr Garda Station in Birr, Co Offaly.
When
The incident happened at 2am on 1 May 2022.
Cause
Gardaí were bringing a male prisoner to Birr Garda Station when Townsend arrived, said she was the prisoner's girlfriend, and became aggressive.
Investigation
Sgt James O'Sullivan gave evidence to the court.
Charges
  • Townsend was charged with assaulting three gardaí.
  • Townsend also pleaded guilty to threatening, insulting and abusive behaviour and to failing to comply with a garda's direction.
In court
  • At Tullamore Court in the week before 26 April 2023, Townsend pleaded guilty to the assault offences.
  • The judge asked whether Townsend had any expression of regret.
  • The case was adjourned to 19 July 2023.
Sentence
The judge said he would require €1,000 to be paid to the Garda Benevolent Fund as a sign of remorse, and would deal with the case leniently if it was paid by the adjournment date.
Other details
  • The defence solicitor said Townsend had had too much drink.
  • Reports give Townsend's age as 41, but the defence solicitor said she is 20 years old and single.
23 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatTownsend became aggressive and would not leave the scene. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatIn the Garda station Townsend slapped a garda across the face and hit three gardaí with punches and kicks. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatThe gardaí suffered minor injuries. (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatTownsend verbally abused the gardaí. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatTownsend slapped a garda across the face and hit three gardaí with punches and kicks in the station. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe offences happened in Emmet Square and Birr Garda Station in Birr. (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe offences happened on 1 May 2022. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe offences happened at 2am on 1 May 2022. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • causeGardaí were bringing a male prisoner to Birr Garda Station when Townsend presented herself and said she was the prisoner's girlfriend. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • causeGardaí were bringing a male prisoner to Birr Garda Station when Townsend arrived and became aggressive. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeSasha Townsend was charged with assaulting three gardaí. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeTownsend also pleaded guilty to threatening, insulting and abusive behaviour and to failing to comply with a Garda's direction. (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeA woman was charged with assaulting three gardaí at Tullamore Court's sitting the previous week. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtSasha Townsend pleaded guilty to the assault charges. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge asked whether Townsend had any expression of regret. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned to 19 July. (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtSasha Townsend pleaded guilty to the assault offences. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge said he would require €1,000 to be paid to the Garda Benevolent Fund as a sign of remorse. (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge said he would deal with the case leniently if the payment was made by the adjournment date. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge said the case would be dealt with leniently if the sum was paid by that date. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defence solicitor said the defendant is 20 years old and single. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherTownsend's solicitor said she had had too much drink. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defence solicitor told the court his client is 20 years of age and single. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 27 Apr2023
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Woman who kicked, punched and slapped Laois Offaly gardai 'had too much drink'

    Court report of guilty pleas and an adjournment. The article gives Townsend's age as 41 but the defence solicitor says she is 20, so the age is left empty.

    accused, Sasha Townsend, female, named, irish (judged from name)Sasha Townsendvictim
  2. 26 Apr2023
    Convictedoffalyexpress.ie, follow-up
    Offaly woman pleads guilty to assaulting three gardai

    Adds the guilty plea, the other public order and garda-direction offences, the court details of the assault, the €1,000 remorse payment condition and the 19 July adjournment. Gives the defence's statement that the defendant is 20, which conflicts with the existing case's age wording.

    convicted, Sasha Townsend, 20, female, named, irish (judged from name)Sasha Townsendvictim