Courts / Wicklow / Report

Jail sentence for woman who slapped garda

Date
2026-01-21

Stage
Sentence

Court
Act. Dún Laoghaire District Court

Primary locality
Bray

County
Wicklow

Summary

A woman who was on probation when she slapped a garda, causing him to bleed, has been given a two-month prison sentence. Samantha Maughan pleaded guilty to a public order offence and being intoxicated in a public place. The incident occurred on Marine Road, Dún Laoghaire, when she shouted at members of the public and hit a garda, causing him to bleed. Judge Anne Watkin said the charge was at the higher end of a public order offence and noted Maughan's 28 previous convictions, including 12 public order offences. The defence said she was remorseful and receiving support from her partner. The judge said the incident amounted to an assault on a garda, though no assault charge was brought. Maughan was sentenced to two months in prison with a recognisance set at €500 in the event of an appeal.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jail sentence for woman who slapped garda. Charges or matters: a Section 6 public order offence and to being intoxicated in a public place, contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

January 13 Incident
November 2025 Incident
2026-01-21 Publication

Case subjects

Samantha Maughan

Defendant

Charges: a Section 6 public order offence and to being intoxicated in a public place, contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Ms Maughan was sentenced to two months' imprisonment, with recognisance set at €500 in the event of an appeal.