Longford District Court: Defendant's actions ‘out of character’

A woman who took the law into her own hands when her car was burned out was will be the subject of a probation report before Judge Bernadette Owens reaches a decision.

Sinead Flemming (34) of 6 Kilbride Park, Edgeworthstown was before Longford District Court on three charges.

Ms Flemming was charged with damaging the front bedroom and living room windows of a house at Kilbride Park, Edgeworthstown, public intoxication and engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour.

Sergeant Enda Daly said the incident occurred on October 1, 2023. Sgt Daly said officers responded to a call about the incident at 4:45am.

The defendant had been socialising in her own home when she saw her car on fire outside her house.

The defendant was intoxicated and went to a nearby house in Kilbride Park and threw a gas cylinder at the house, breaking two windows.

Gardaí arrived and Ms Flemming was in a highly intoxicated state and very abusive.

The defendant was arrested and brought to Longford garda station. She made full admissions about her actions.

Referring to the attack on the car solicitor Brid Mimnagh said her client “knew who did this”.

Ms Mimnagh said the arson attack was “the third car burned out in a period of three weeks” and that Ms Flemming was “naturally upset”.

“She accepts that what she did was wrong, but wanted to confront someone about the fire,” Ms Mimnagh said, adding, “Sinead is claiming she reported the fire attack incident to Gardaí before she took action.”

The legal representative said there were significant repercussions for the defendant as she had difficulty with council accommodation arising from the incident.

Ms Mimnagh asked the judge if there was any way her client, who had no previous convictions, could avoid a criminal record.

“ I believe a probation report would show the type of person Sinead is, and show that this was out of character,” the solicitor said.

Ms Mimnagh said the defendant was aware of the impact of her actions as she was the victim of a similar attack on her own home. Judge Owens said she would adjourn the matter to June 18 to allow for the preparation of a probation report.