'Appalling example': Longford mum caught up in altercation outside school given opportunity to avoid conviction
The defendant was accused of engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour outside a primary school
A mother of five who “just wants to educate her children” has been given the opportunity to avoid a criminal conviction.
Carmel Stokes (32) of 6 An Cussan, Lisbreac Rd, Longford was before Judge Bernadette Owens accused of engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour outside a primary school on October 9, 2024.
Outlining details of the incident Sergeant Enda Daly told the court that at 9:20am officers responded to a disturbance on Dublin Road, Longford. Ms Stokes was one of a number of people involved in a public disturbance.
The defendant had alighted from her car and started shouting abuse at other parties outside a town centre national school. The defendant left the scene, but was later arrested when she met the Gardai by arrangement.
Sgt Daly said the defendant had 16 previous convictions, but all were for road traffic offences.
Solicitor Michelle Dolan said her client was the one who alerted Gardaí to the disturbance. Ms Dolan explained to the judge that the mother of five young children received a threatening phone call the previous day telling her not to go to the school.
The solicitor said that although Ms Stokes was “very fearful” she brought her children to school. That morning she was confronted by the other parties.
Ms Dolan said: “She was simply trying to pick up her child from school and this altercation broke out. She was pepper sprayed in the incident. She has never been in this type of trouble before.”
The legal representative stated that the stay at home mother “simply wants to educate her children.”
In reference to the incident Judge Owens said: “This type of behaviour should never happen near a school. This is setting an appalling example for young children.”
However the judge said she could give Ms Stokes an opportunity to avoid a serious conviction if she brought €300 to court for Poor Box donation on February 18. If the defendant has the money the matter will be struck out, otherwise she will be fined €200.