Woman accused of smashing neighbour's window with a hammer

District Judge Barney McElholm has said that he did not want to lock up a woman suffering from mental health issues but had no choice until a bed could be found in a mental health unit.

Mary Gillespie (53) of Glenside Gardens in Derry was charged with criminal damage to a window on November 16.

A police officer connected the accused to the charge.

He told the court that police were called to a report of a female smashing her neighbour's window with a hammer.

When police arrived Gillespie was standing at the door holding the hammer but she threw it into the garden and told police 'come and arrest me.'

The officer said that the alleged injured party had seen Gillespie smashing the window and there had been 'numerous issues' with Gillespie in the area.

He said police were concerned if she was released to her home address the situation could escalate.

The officer said there had been over 90 calls since January over concerns for safety.

He said that police were concerned that the neighbours might 'take matters into their own hands.'

The court heard that Gillespie was being a nuisance for people going about their daily lives.

He said Gillespie had 'serious mental health issues' and her life had been 'a series of misfortunes.

Judge McElholm said that the problem was that if released Gillespie on condition she attend a mental health unit what would happen if there were no beds.

He said the neighbours in Glenside Gardens would have a right to complain if she was simply allowed to return there.

He remanded Gillespie in custody until November 24 to see if a mental health bed could be found.