Judge refuses to strike out case against woman over alleged row

A judge has refused to strike out a case taken against a woman who was allegedly involved in a public order incident involving up to 20 people at Mullingar Greyhound Stadium.

Michelle Joyce (41) 29 Grange Meadows, Mullingar, Westmeath, was charged with using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour at the stadium on December 20, 2025.

Sgt Orla Keenan addressed last Thursday’s weekly court sitting seeking an adjournment on the basis of the extensive nature of the resulting investigation and large volume of witnesses contained therein.

Ms Joyce’s solicitor, Adam Dodd put forward a different view and applied for the charge to be struck out.

He said that argument was grounded on his own observation of camera footage that lasted less than 10 minutes and said the case was now three months before the courts with still no sign of any imminent progress.

Mr Dodd insisted given the length of time that process was taking, there would be no prejudice to gardaí if the court did side with his application.

Sgt Keenan responded and made a final appeal for the case to remain before the District Court, saying to do otherwise was “not in the interests of justice”.

Judge Patricia Cronin noted that it was the third week in January when the court first got sight of the charge being taken against Ms Joyce.

She said although matters had been adjourned to last Thursday for DPP directions, she ruled in favour of the State and remanded Ms Joyce on bail to a sitting of Mullingar District Court on June 4.