Woman can't explain why she refused to provide details during arrest for intoxication in Cork

Judge Carroll said if the accused made a €200 donation to the court poor box the matter would be struck out, if she did not she would be convicted and fined €400

The court was told that O’Brien had no previous convictions and worked in the hospitality sector. File picture:: Dan Linehan

A woman who pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in a public place refused to provide her name and address to gardaí when she was arrested, the district court has heard.

Court presenter Sergeant Tom Mulcahy told Clonakilty District Court that gardaí were on patrol at Clarke Street in Clonakilty on January 10, 2026, at 12.17am.

They encountered a woman later identified as Michelle O’Brien, aged 45, with an address at Hillfern, Kilgarriffe, Clonakilty. The court heard that O’Brien appeared to be highly intoxicated, unable to stand properly and slurring her words.

She was arrested for her own safety and the safety of others. When she was arrested the court heard that O’Brien, who is originally from Co. Cavan, refused to give her details to gardaí. 

O’Brien said she had gone for a night out and had just finished a course of antibiotics the previous day. She said she did not know why she refused to provide her details at the time of the arrest. 

The court was told that O’Brien had no previous convictions and worked in the hospitality sector.

Judge Joanne Carroll said O’Brien could avoid a conviction if she agreed to make a donation of €200 to the court poor box, €100 for each charge. O’Brien was remanded on bail on her own bond of €100 to February 17, 2026. 

Judge Carroll said if O’Brien made the donation the matter would be struck out, if she did not she would be convicted and fined €400.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.