Limerick woman 'arrested for own safety' after abusing garda outside local kebab shop

A MOTHER-of-five who was arrested “for her own safety” at a fast food restaurant in west Limerick was fined when she appeared before the local court.

Noelle O’Connor, aged 34, of Grove Crescent, Abbeyfeale, pleaded guilty to a number of public order charges arising from the incident which happened in the early hours of October 3, 2025.

Outlining the facts of the case, Inspector Gearóid Thompson told Newcastle West Court that gardai were alerted to a disturbance at around 12.30am and that they subsequently attended the premises.

The incident, he said, took place outside King Kebab on Church Street in Abbeyfeale.

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Ms O’Connor was “intoxicated” on the night in question and began verbally abusing a member of An Garda Síochána - namely Garda Enda Moroney.

“She started verbalising her disquiet,” said Insp Thompson, who added her behaviour towards Garda Moroney was aggressive.
When the defendant failed to stop, she was arrested and removed from the area for her own safety, the court heard.

She was subsequently charged with public order offences under Section 4 and Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994.

The court heard that Ms O’Connor has a number of previous convictions but none for public order.

On November 4, she was disqualified from driving for three years after she was convicted of drink driving under Section 4 of the Road Traffic Act.

Insp Thompson said that prosecution related to a road traffic collision which happened in October 20204.

Solicitor Michael O’Donnell, representing the accused, told the court that his client had come across Garda Moroney at “a bad time” and that she regrets what happened.

He said she “had a number of drinks taken” and that she “had words with him”.

Ms O'Connor, he added, has since apologised for her behaviour on the night. Mr O’Donnell added that his client has a number of young children and that she is currently unemployed.

After formally convicting Ms O’Connor, Judge Carol Anne Coolican imposed a fine of €200.