Limerick mother ‘rammed’ car belonging to son’s ex-girlfriend and ‘busted’ it with crutch

A LIMERICK mother “rammed into” the car of her son’s ex-girlfriend before getting out and “busting” it with a crutch, a court has heard.

Sylvia Walsh, aged 51, with an address at Whitecross Gardens, Moyross, pleaded guilty to violent disorder, criminal damage and driving without insurance in relation to an incident that occurred on May 26, 2023.

Chelsea Johnson, aged 25, with an address at Cosgrave Park, Moyross, pleaded guilty to affray relating to her involvement in the same incident.

During a sentencing hearing at Limerick Circuit Court, prosecuting Barrister John O’Sullivan BL outlined the details of what happened.

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He said at approximately 12.30am on May 27, gardaí were called to an address at Avondale Drive, Greystones in Limerick city.

There, they spoke to the owner of the house, a man in his 50s who lived with his daughter, who was in her early 20s.

The court heard the man’s daughter was previously in a relationship with Ms Walsh’s son, Christopher.

Whilst difficulties had arisen and the relationship had ended, Mr Walsh was at the woman’s house on the night in question.
At 11:35pm, Ms Walsh arrived at the house in her SEAT car.

Upon arrival, she drove into the rear of the Volkswagen Golf belonging to her son’s ex-girlfriend, before damaging it with a crutch. This was captured in CCTV footage.

After the accused fled the scene, her son’s ex reported the incident to An Garda Síochána.

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At approximately 3am, Ms Walsh returned to the same address with two other women, one of whom was the co-accused, Ms Johnson.

Ms Walsh again “rammed into” the woman’s car, before damaging it with her crutch. The rear wiper of the car was pulled off, along with the wing mirror of another car.

When those inside the house were alerted, a “stand-off” ensued and there was a verbal altercation between the accused’s son and his ex-girlfriend.

After a physical altercation with the father, Mr Walsh obtained a hammer from his mother’s car and used it to smash the window of his ex-girlfriend’s car.

Mr O’Sullivan said there was also a physical altercation between the ex-girlfriend and Ms Johnson, with the pair pulling each other’s hair.

The other woman, who had arrived in the car with Ms Walsh and Ms Johnson, attempted to break up the affray.

Then, Mr Walsh got into the driver’s seat of his mother’s car and proceeded to reverse towards the three women. His ex-girlfriend was dragged under the car and he then drove forward with her under the wheel.

Although she was subsequently dislodged from under the car, she suffered significant injuries, including a fractured pelvis, back and pubic area.

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The other woman, who had attempted to break up the altercation, also suffered “substantial injuries”.

When gardaí arrived at the scene, the ex-girlfriend was “bleeding from her head on the ground” and “couldn’t move”.
Both women were subsequently taken by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick.

At approximately 5:40am, Ms Walsh’s car was seized after she returned to the scene for a third time.

In June 2024, Christopher Walsh was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment for his part in the incident. He was also disqualified from driving for 10 years.

At 7:20pm day after the incident, Ms Walsh was arrested, detained and questioned by gardaí.

She made full admissions, telling told gardaí she was worried that her son would become involved with drugs and went to collect him.

She said she “lost her head” and “busted the mirrors and lights” of his ex-girlfriend’s car. She also told the woman that she would “punch the head off her”.

The court heard that Ms Walsh, in her late 40s at the time, has two sons and two daughters. She has 43 previous convictions, 36 of which relate to Road Traffic offences.

Barrister Erin O’Hagan BL, representing the accused, noted her client had been co-operative with gardaí and accepted responsibility for her actions.

She told the court that Ms Walsh has been “surrounded by addiction her entire life” and that she had lost her sister to substance abuse.

In mitigation, Ms O’Hagan said she had rarely encountered someone as remorseful as the accused. She said that Ms Walsh was “absolutely appalled” by her behaviour and that the incident was “completely out of character for her”.

She added that her client was the “cornerstone of her family” and that family members “flock to her”.

Such was her remorse, Ms Walsh requested to address the court herself. “I have two children in the grave already. I didn’t want another one,” she stated.

She also expressed regret that Ms Johnson had got caught up in the incident. She said the co-accused is her son’s friend and she wanted her “to go home to her children”.

Joseph McMahon BL, representing Ms Johnson, said she is a single parent of two who is currently unemployed but a “full-time parent”.

He said his client was left “traumatised and scared” after the incident, having also been struck by the car driven by Mr Walsh.

She has had ongoing back pain since the night in question and also has difficulties with anxiety and stress.

Mr McMahon added that Ms Johnson is “extremely apologetic” for her role in the events that unfolded.

Judge Colin Daly adjourned the case to allow him time to consider the evidence. He indicated he will pass sentence on April 13.