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. 21498Public order offence (public intoxication and threatening and abusive behaviour) · Co. Laois · 1 Apr 2023

Woman's charges struck out after Portlaoise Train Station arrest

Melissa Mulqueen, 46, of Limerick, was arrested at Portlaoise Train Station in Laois on 1 April 2023. Gardaí said she was shouting and roaring at 4.55pm, and she was charged with public intoxication and threatening and abusive behaviour. A court report published on 16 April 2023 said her solicitor stated she pleaded at the earliest opportunity, and the judge refused legal aid. The latest development is that the charges were struck out after a €400 donation.

  1. Reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A woman was arrested for being drunk and abusive at Portlaoise Train Station.
Where
The arrest took place at Portlaoise Train Station in County Laois.
When
The arrest took place on 1 April 2023 at around 4.55pm.
Other details
  • The woman is Melissa Mulqueen, 46, of Prospect, Limerick.
  • The woman has no previous convictions, according to Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby.
  • The woman had been returning from Dublin when the incident occurred.
  • The woman wrote a letter of apology and brought €200 to court.
  • The court report was published on 16 April 2023, while the article's listed date is 14 April 2023.
Investigation
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the woman was shouting and roaring at 4.55pm on the date in question.
Charges
The woman was charged with public intoxication and threatening and abusive behaviour.
In court
  • Her solicitor, Josephine Fitzpatrick, said she pleaded at the earliest opportunity.
  • The judge refused legal aid.
Sentence
After a €400 donation, the charges were struck out.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe woman appeared in court for being drunk and abusive at Portlaoise Train Station. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatGardaí said the woman was shouting and roaring at 4.55pm. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe woman was arrested at Portlaoise Train Station. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe arrest took place on 1 April. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe charges of public intoxication and threatening and abusive behaviour were struck out. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtHer solicitor said she pleaded at the earliest opportunity. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge refused legal aid. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceAfter a €400 donation, the charges were struck out. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe woman had no previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe woman had been returning from Dublin when the incident occurred. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe woman wrote a letter of apology. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe woman brought €200 to court. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 14 Apr2023
    Otherleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    ‘Drinking binge’ leads to woman’s arrest at Portlaoise Train Station

    Reports the court outcome: the defendant apologised, legal aid was refused, and the charges were struck out after a €400 donation.

    accused, Melissa Mulqueen, 46, female, named, irish (judged from name)Melissa Mulqueen