Woman before Longford District Court has sentence re-suspended

A defendant jailed months after having a prison term suspended was given an opportunity to engage with residential treatment to avoid extending her prison sentence.

Emma Pugh (30) of Margate Hostel, Finiskin, Sligo returned before Longford District Court in respect of a suspended sentence imposed in the court last May.

Following a probation report Judge Owens said she would give Ms Pugh a chance and re-suspend the four month prison term she previously suspended for a period of 18 months.

Solicitor Brid Mimnagh told the judge her client was “afraid to go back to her previous existence” and has plans to attend a treatment course in the Tiglin Residential Treatment Centre.

Having reviewed the Probation Services report Judge Bernadette Owens said: “Ms Pugh will need to engage with the Probation Services to sustain her plans.”

Judge Owens concluded by warning the defendant: “This is now up to yourself, if you don't take this opportunity and engage with the Probation Service I will have no option to impose the four month prison term.”