A 35-year-old woman who committed a spate of public order offences in Galway last year, including an incident at University Hospital Galway, has been told she had shown a “horrible disregard” for Gardaí.

Siobhan O’Donnell, with addresses at Cnocán Glas, Letteragh Road, and Carragh Drive, Salthill, pleaded guilty to intoxication and breach of the peace offences contrary to sections 4 and 6 of the Public Order Act on dates between June and November 2025.

The incidents happened at locations including Eyre Square, McDonalds Westside, Westside Shopping Centre and Williamgate Street.

She also pleaded guilty to obstructing a Garda during the execution of his duty at Eyre Square.

Outlining the facts of the Eyre Square incident on June 19 last, Sergeant Damien Prendergast told the court Gardaí were conducting a checkpoint when the accused, who was in the area at the time, started shouting “Gardaí f*****g useless” and “hassling people for no good reason”.

O’Donnell was directed to leave and left the area before returning and again shouting insults and abuse at Gardaí as they were searching a vehicle.

The court heard O’Donnell was handcuffed and, as she was being placed into a patrol van, kicked out and tried to flee.

Sgt Prendergast said that Gardaí responded to a report from security staff at the Emergency Department at UHG where a woman was causing a disturbance.

Gardaí were again subjected to further abuse by the accused who said “f**k off, c***s” and “go on, arrest me”.

Solicitor Brendan O’Connor told the court he had been instructed apologise by his client who, he said, was grateful for the assistance they gave her when she was going through a difficult period in her life.

His client, a single mother of three, had lost her partner in tragic circumstances and this had a “profound effect” that caused her to “fall off the wagon” after a period where she had done well.

Mr O’Connor said his client accepted she was the author of her own misfortune and asked the court to note the offences took place during a “concentrated period” between June and November 2025.

Judge Adrian Harris expressed sympathy with the accused but said the court also had to take into account the accused’s language, which he said showed a “horrible disregard for Garda Siochana who are out there trying to keep the streets safe and people safe”.

He said in all cases the abuse was “unprovoked” and, referring to the offences at UHG, said hospital staff were under enough pressure without having to deal with this.

Noting the accused’s previous convictions for public order offences, Judge Harris directed a report from the Probation Services and remanded the accused on continuing bail to appear again on May 5.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.