Gortahork woman who assaulted Garda told she is “author of the outcome”

A woman charged with assaulting a garda, public intoxication, a number of motoring offences and more, has been told that she is ‘the author of the outcome.’

Dungloe District Court heard today that alcohol was an underlying issue in the offences, and that the defendant had not consumed alcohol since September.

Sentencing was adjourned to allow her to demonstrate a continued abstinence from alcohol.

Grainne Gallinagh, 35 of Curransport, Meenlaragh, Gortahork, had previously admitted what the court described as a litany of offences.

She faced two counts of assault on May 23, 2024 at Letterkenny Retail Park, Paddy Harte Road, Letterkenny, contrary to Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.

She also assaulted Garda Josephine Nic Ghionntaigh, a peace officer acting in the course of her duty. The offence is contrary to Section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994 (as amended by Section 185 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006).

Gallinagh further admitted being intoxicated to the extent of being a danger to herself or others, and to engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour on the same occasion. Those offences are contrary to Sections 4 and 6 respectively, of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994 as amended by Section 22 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008.

She gave a false name and address to Garda Josephine Nic Ghionntaigh, contrary to Section 24(3) and (4) of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994 as amended by Section 22 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008.

On August 18, 2022 at Eds Branded Goods, Carnmore Road, Dungloe, Gallinagh assaulted a female, contrary to Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.

She was also charged with threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour in relation to that incident. The offence is contrary to Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994 as amended by Section 22 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 2008.

On October 10, 2024, Gallinagh was found to be driving without insurance, contrary to Section 56(1) and (3) Road Traffic Act 1961 as amended by Section 18 of the Road Traffic Act, 2006.

And on June 29, 2023, also at Derrybeg, she was found to be driving without insurance and with failing to produce insurance. The offences are contrary to Sections 56(1) and (3), and 69(1) respectively of the Road Traffic Act 1961 as amended by Section 18 of the Road Traffic Act, 2006

A probation report was ordered, and it was heard that Gallinagh had engaged fully with the probation service.

Inspector Seamus McGonigle outlined the details of the offences.

He told the court that on May 23, 2024 at 10.25pm, gardaí received a report of an intoxicated female acting in an abusive and offensive manner at McDonald’s in Letterkenny. She was accompanied by a young child.

“The female, Grainne Gallinagh, was attempting to gain access to a vehicle when gardaí approached,” said the inspector. “It was immediately evident that she was intoxicated.

“Gardaí engaged with her and she was immediately aggressive.

“She gave a name and address known to be false.”

Inspector McGonigle said the defendant violently resisted arrest, kicking the female garda and lashing out and punching the male garda.

“She was conveyed to Letterkenny Garda Station and was abusive throughout,” the inspector continued.

A number of public order offences arose from this incident.

Regarding the assault at Ed’s Branded Goods, gardaí responded to a report of an alleged assault at 12.15pm on August 18, 2022.

“Ms Gallinagh entered the premises on two occasions,” said Inspector McGonigle. “She was verbally abusive to a member of staff on the first occasion, and a physical assault occurred on the second. There were witnesses on the second occasion.”

Gardaí spoke to Gallinagh at a later date.

“She made light of the incident but later admitted it and showed little or no remorse,” said the inspector.

In relation to motoring offences, the court heard that Garda Heaney stopped a vehicle driven by Gallinagh on June 29, 2023 at Derrybeg at 8.25pm.

“A lawful demand was made to produce insurance,” said Inspector McGonigle. “She opted to produce at Bunbeg Garda Station but has failed to do so.”

The second motoring offence occurred on October 29, 2024 at 7am. Garda Dorrian attended the scene of a single vehicle collision.

“Grainne Gallinagh was in the driver’s seat,” said Inspector McGonigle. “The vehicle was seized. There was no insurance, and she failed to produce insurance.”

The court heard that the defendant had previous convictions at Letterkenny and Dun Laoghaire District Courts for being an unaccompanied learner driver, driving without insurance, being intoxicated to the extent of being a danger to herself or others, and threatening or abusive or insulting behaviour.

Solicitor Frank Dorrian said his client had been deemed by the probation services to be at a moderate risk of reoffending.

“I would submit that it is to her credit that she has managed to present to the probation service not presenting with a higher risk score,” he said. “It is the second lowest risk level.”

The solicitor outlined that his client had grown up in very difficult domestic circumstances, with both parents deceased.

“She has had a rudderless existence since she was 15 and left school,” he said.

Mr Dorrian explained that his client had been through a number of further significant challenges which contributed to behaviour which he described as ‘erratic and irrational.’

The solicitor added: “Her tendency is to minimise the events with which she is accused. She finds it difficult to engage. This is a defensive mechanism.”

Mr Dorrian pointed out that a lot of the offences were underpinned by alcohol consumption and alcohol abuse.

“She tells me she is now abstinent, and has been since September,” he said.

The solicitor told the court that the defendant had completed the Pro Social Driving Course, was currently on social welfare, and was living ‘a very moderate lifestyle.’

Judge Emile Daly said: “In circumstances where there is a litany of offences that the court has to deal with, and there is this troubled background, the beam of hope is that as of September of last year she has managed to give up alcohol, and hasn’t come to the attention of garda since. It seems that it would be appropriate to delay sentencing.

“If she can demonstrate to the court in four to six months time and she hasn’t come to garda attention since, that would be a different complexion than what is presented today.”

The judge adjourned the majority of matters to July 14.

“I am requesting an updated probation report to see that the regime that Ms Gallinagh has successfully embarked upon, which is to her credit, is maintained.”

Addressing the defendant directly, Judge Daly said: “The outcome of this is very much dependent on your conduct.

“The guards have to deal with situations all the time, and they have been exposed to things they should not have to be exposed to.

“You are the author of the outcome of this process. I am giving you an opportunity based on the mitigation.

“If there is any flippage there, it is a serious outcome for you.”

The judge said that given that there was a previous conviction for driving without insurance, that the imposition of a conviction and disqualification could not be avoided. She fined Gallinagh €150, with a mandatory two-year disqualification from holding a driving licence.

Gortahork woman who assaulted Garda told she is “author of the outcome” was last modified: January 13th, 2026 by Staff Writer