Offaly woman was roaring in public and abusive to Gardai

Offaly woman was roaring in public and abusive to Gardai

A CLARA woman was shouting and roaring in public and told Gardaí to f*** off, last week's sitting of Tullamore District Court was told.

Before the court was Valerie Egan, 18 Errymill Clara who committed the offence on February 22 last on Chapel St, Tullamore. She was charged with being intoxicated in public and engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour.

Sergeant Richard Thornton told the court that the Gardai observed the defendant “shouting and roaring on the street” and when they approached her she became verbally abusive towards them. She had two previous convictions.

The defending solicitor Patrick Martin said his client was pleading guilty. He said the 41 year old woman is a single lady and is on disability payment. “She apologises for her behaviour. She has been through a difficult period over the last three years. Two of her relations died by suicide. She suffers from agoraphobia and therefore she doesn't generally go out to pubs. On this occasion she unfortunately did. She isn't drinking now and is attending a counselling service.”

Judge Andrew Cody remanded Ms Egan on continuing bail to July 1 next for a Probation Officer's report and a Community Service Order assessment. “On that date,” remarked the Judge, “I want to hear about what she has been doing to address what appears to be an underlying problem.”