Woman back 'giving dogs abuse' to gardai in Offaly days after conviction

A woman who had been convicted of a similar offence 4 days earlier was back ''giving dogs abuse'' to the gardai 4 days later, Judge Andrew Cody noted at last week's sitting of Tullamore district court.

In his evidence Sergeant Brendan Kearns said that on June 24, 2023 at 12.30am, a number of people were involved in an altercation on Church Street in Tullamore.

Fiona Higginbottom (27) 6, Bective Square, Kells, and another female were both shouting at members of the public and were abusive towards Gardai. Ms Higginbottom was highly intoxicated.

She had previous convictions for being abusive and had been fined €250 in March of this year. She also had a previous conviction for theft. She had failed to appear in court on two occasions and two bench warrants had been issued.

Solicitor Patrick Martin described the defendant as a 27 year old woman with two children aged 4 and 6. She had undertaken a four week program at Aiseiri. She sees her kids twice a week, he said.

Judge Andrew Cody said she had been convicted 4 days before of the same offence and 4 days later she was giving ''dogs abuse ''to Gardai ''shouting and screaming.''

He said given it was just 4 days later he sentenced her to two months in prison which he suspended for two years on her own bond of €100. He fined her €100.

An application for legal aid by solicitor Patrick Martin was granted.