Derry Court: Woman 'angry at the world' jailed for assaults on three people

A woman, who a solicitor said was 'angry at the world' has been jailed at Derry Magistrate's Court today for assaults on three people.

Ciara Craig (41) of no fixed abode admitted three assault charges that occurred on March 6 and one charge of disorderly behaviour on the same date.

The court heard that police received a report of a group of street drinkers fighting outside the old Bank of Ireland building on Strand Road.

When they arrived they were told that Craig had assaulted a number of people.

In the case of one victim the court was told that he was 'slapped repeatedly' about the face.

She kicked another person about the rib area and pushed a third.

Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said that his client deserved no credit for her behaviour but asked for credit for her early plea.

He said that Craig had only been released from prison last week.

The solicitor said that the defendant had 207 previous convictions and was in a spiral where she went to prison, was released started drinking again and ended up back in prison.

He said that she knew this had to end or else history will just repeat itself.

District Judge Barney McElholm said that there was nowhere he could put this woman where she could get help.

He said that the government in London was 'hell bent on dismantling the NHS' and neither the courts or the police had any money.

He said the provision of mental health services was 'a disgrace' and added that this was not the fault of those who work there.

He said he had no option but to jail Craig and sentenced her to 4 months in prison.