A Waterford District Court judge recently accepted jurisdiction in the case of a woman accused of making a false statement to Gardaí.
Ellen Moloney (34) of Ballybeg, Waterford, appeared before Judge Kevin Staunton in court last month for charges including making a false statement to Gardaí in April 2025.
Sergeant John Phelan outlined to the court that on 25 April 2025, a woman, who was identified as the accused, allegedly went to Waterford Garda Station and made a criminal complaint about her partner.
Sergeant Phelan said the woman alleged that she was punched and dragged, which restricted her breathing, to the point where she “thought she would die” from it. The accused also alleged that she was sexually assaulted by her partner. The court heard that Gardaí discovered that this was a false claim, after the accused made another statement which said that the allegations were not true.
Acting for the defendant, solicitor Hilary Delahunty said that the accused’s partner was present in court beside her, and that her “lifestyle is chaotic.”
Judge Staunton decided to accept jurisdiction in the case, while Mr. Delahunty indicated that the accused was pleading guilty to the charge of making the false statement.
Judge Staunton adjourned the matter to 24 March, 2026.
Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Robyn Power
