Woman called gardaí ‘pigs’ at traffic stop in Laois

A woman admitted calling gardaí pigs after being pulled over in Portlaoise.

Mary Ellen Carthy (26) of 12 Farrencooley Crescent, Bishopsland, Kildare was pulled over for not having insurance or tax at Apple Green, Dublin Road,  Portlaoise on September 21, 2022. 

“Why don’t you appear in court? Do you think this is a joke?” Judge Nicola Andrews asked the defendant who had missed previous appearances. 

The woman explained that she was caring for a number of young children. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the woman was stopped while driving on the Dublin Road on the date in question. 

“The vehicle was being seized because there was no tax or insurance,” said Sgt Kirby. 

He said the woman began verbally abusing gardaí saying “they are only pigs” as she spoke to someone on the phone. 

Sgt Kirby said the woman, who has 54 previous convictions,  also said, “may you drop dead” to gardaí. 

Brian Mallon BL said his client had instructed him to offer an apology. He said the woman had been attending Portlaoise Hospital at the time of the incident and was “extremely” stressed.  

He described it as “very much a mistake on her part” and she was apologetic. He said the woman is not working and is in receipt of around €300 a week.

Judge Nicola Andrews ordered a probation report and adjourned the case to Portlaoise District Court on January 20, 2025. She warned the woman to attend her probation appointments and not to come to the attention of gardai in the meantime.