Derry judge warns defendant mental health issues are no excuse for violence

A judge at Derry Magistrate's Court today said while he had every sympathy for people with mental health issues the courts had to protect people going about their business. 

His comments came in the case of Amanda Hegarty (38) of no fixed abode who admitted two assault charges and one of criminal damage that occurred on October 31 this year.

The court heard police were called to a local Bed and Breakfast after reports of a female trying to self harm.

When a woman intervened to help her she lashed out grabbing her by the hair.

She then 'lashed out' at a male who tried to help grabbing him by the throat.

When police escorted the defendant from the building she said to the female injured party 'you're lucky I am not ripping your head off'.

Hegarty then left the scene only to return later and when she was told she was not welcome threw stones and a flower pot at the window and kicked at the door. 

Defence counsel Stephen Chapman said that his client had been in custody since November. 

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Deputy District Judge Chris Holmes said these were 'vicious assaults' that were more 'Halloweenesque than Christmas'.

He said Hegarty has 'viciously attacked' two people who were trying to help her and then she told police the female victim 'deserved it karma is a bitch'.

Judge Holmes told Hegarty these assaults had to stop and added 'you are not special you are not well' and added just because she was having a bad day didn't give her the right to assault people.

He put the case back with Hegarty in custody for a pre-sentence report and she will be sentenced on January 15.