Young woman headbutted gardai after being arrested for assaulting two women in bar

A drunken and “highly aggressive” Buncrana woman assaulted two women in a local bar, before headbutting two gardai on her way into custody, and violently ripping up a mattress in a cell at the Garda Station.

Anna Kelly, of 15 Knockalla Drive, Buncrana, pleaded guilty to multiple charges when she appeared before Buncrana District Court.

The unemployed 25-year-old admitted two counts of assault causing harm, contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, and one count of assault, contrary to Section 2 of the same act.

Ms Kelly also entered a guilty plea to a criminal damage charge, as well as engaging in threatening, insulting, or abusive behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace at Main Street, Buncrana, contrary to Section 6 of the Public Order Act.

She further admitted a charge of being drunk and disorderly in public, contrary to Section 4 of the Public Order Act.

The court heard how the assaults were entirely unprovoked, while one of the two female victims was described as an “extremely vulnerable” person. Judge Emile Daly said the offences were “very serious”.

Sergeant Conor Mulkerns outlined the facts of the case in court. He said gardai received a report of an assault at the Atlantic Bar, Buncrana at 1.40am on Sunday, January 5, 2025.

On arrival at the scene, gardai spoke with Ms Rachel McCrossan, who stated to Garda Shauna Quinlivan that she had been attacked by an unknown female assailant at the bar.

She said it was an unprovoked attack, and Garda Quinlivan observed a bruise and swelling to Ms McCrossan’s right eye.

It emerged that a second victim, Ms Chloe McCauley, was also assaulted by Ms Kelly without warning.

Garda Quinlivan spoke with security staff at the Atlantic Bar, who identified the suspect as Anna Kelly. The staff informed gardai that they had removed Ms Kelly from the premises following the double assault.

A short time later, security staff stated that Ms Kelly had returned and was outside the premises.

Garda Quinlivan exited the premises and spoke with Ms Kelly, who was acting in a highly aggressive and threatening manner towards members of the public.

She was highly intoxicated and was subsequently arrested under Section 24 of the Public Order Act. The accused was cautioned and handcuffed due to her aggressive manner before being placed into the back of the patrol car.

While in the patrol car, Ms Kelly headbutted Garda Quinlivan, her head connecting with the left side of the female guard’s jaw.

Ms Kelly was conveyed to Buncrana Garda Station, and while she was sitting in the custody area a short time later, she headbutted Garda Colm Molloy, connecting with the bridge of his nose.

Ms Kelly was then placed into the cells. It subsequently transpired that she had keys concealed on her person, and she used these to damage the viewing hatch on the cell. She also used the keys to cause €300 worth of damage to the mattress in the cell.

Sgt Mulkerns said the defendant had no previous convictions.

Solicitor Frank Dorrian described his client as a “young lady with a significant alcohol addiction” and mental health struggles.

“She was in a very dark and difficult place at that time. She had been abstinent for a period prior to these events but then there was a relapse and massive over-consumption of alcohol.”

“There were some emotional and familial difficulties in her background; she didn’t adapt well to the loss of her father when she was a teenager – and this is where she finds herself.”

“Drinking caused this explosive outburst. She has no real rationale for why she behaved so dreadfully towards people she didn’t know, and who caused her no harm whatsoever.”

“One of the parties who was injured by this was extremely vulnerable, as you’ll see from the victim impact, but she wasn’t to know that,” Mr Dorrian further told Judge Emile Daly.

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Mr Dorrian said Ms Kelly has since stopped drinking and is attempting to put her life back on the right track.

“She is sober now. She had attended alcohol and drug addiction services, but that seems to have fallen away. She is doing her best to address it. She hasn’t been in trouble since.”

“The resolution to this kind of problem drinking starts with the person acknowledging the problem and taking steps from there. Her sobriety is short-lived at this stage; it’s measurable in weeks, but she’s trying to maintain that.”

The Buncrana solicitor said his client, who appeared in court with her mother, deeply regrets what happened on the night.

“She does have good insight into the fact that she has harmed these people and she regrets her behaviour. It’s something that happened to her, as well as something that she did.”

“She does apologise to all concerned. Her behaviour was totally off-kilter; it’s unacceptable at every level, and she knows that. She has no insight as to why she did it.”

Mr Dorrian said his out-of-work client is actively seeking employment at present, however “there’s a feeling that these events may tarnish her employability”.

Judge Daly described the accused's offending behaviour as “very serious”, with lasting consequences.

“What happened on this night – I can see from the victim impact statement – is going to have a very lasting impact on the injured parties involved.”

“The fact that there’s a Section 3 assault against a member of An Garda Siochana, who was simply trying to protect the public, and the damage to the mattress is indicative of someone who wasn’t for turning, in the state she was in.”

The judge said “sobriety is required”, and she adjourned the case until May 14 for the completion of a probation and welfare report.

She warned Ms Kelly that “efforts need to be taken”, while evidence that she has attended a drug and alcohol programme must be provided.

Ms Kelly was remanded on continuing bail.