A 47-year-old Belfast woman was sentenced to four weeks in custody at Craigavon Magistrates Court on Wednesday for contempt of court after repeated interruptions during a bail hearing.

Rachel Mulcahy of Bendigo Street, Belfast, faced charges of jaywalking and disorderly behaviour on the Garvaghy Road in Portadown on October 27, 2026.

The court heard that police responded to a report of a woman wearing a union flag headscarf walking on the road. A police officer said the woman was observed in the middle of the road shouting and waving her arms erratically. When police signalled her to move, she ran off shouting 'Shoot me', the officer told the court.

After warnings were ignored and a large crowd gathered, Mulcahy was placed in a police vehicle and removed from the area. The officer said she continued to shout at passersby from the vehicle and refused to go home, stating she would return to the Garvaghy Road.

District Judge Michael Ranaghan refused bail due to the risk of public disorder, noting that the defendant had indicated she would return to the area.

During the hearing, Mulcahy repeatedly interrupted the judge, making statements about her right to walk on the Garvaghy Road and identifying herself as a Protestant preacher. The judge warned her about contempt of court, and she was later brought back before the court.

In a second appearance, Mulcahy demanded an apology from the judge and made further statements. Her barrister, David McKeown, said his client had a history of service in her Christian mission.

Judge Ranaghan found her in contempt, stating that her behaviour had been repeated and prolonged and had interrupted court proceedings throughout the morning. He sentenced her to four weeks in custody. The underlying charges were adjourned to November 20, and legal aid was granted.