Woman appears at Derry Magistrates Court charged with disorderly behaviour

A woman has appeared at Derry Magistrates Court charged with disorderly behaviour after a street brawl.

Biddy Mongan (24) of Glenabbey Cottages in Derry, was charged with, on December 17, disorderly behaviour after police were called to a fight in the street between her and another woman.

Upon arriving at the scene, police tried to seperate the two women and Mongan began to shout at police, spitting at one of the officers.

Mongan was taken by police to hospital for injuries received in the fight.

The court heard that Mongan has 101 previous convictions, including 53 for assault, and police objected to bail as they believe she is at risk of reoffending.

Defence solicitor Kevin Casey said that Mongan was a 'young lady that struggles with alcohol', adding that she 'didn't look like a 24 year old' due to the ravages of her condition.

He also said that almost all of her assault convictions were in retaliation to her herself being assaulted first.

Deputy District Judge Liam McStay said that this was a 'troubling case', saying that Mongan was clearly in 'complete freefall', but granted bail under the conditions that she obey a curfew, wear an electronic tag, stay away from the city centre and not be drunk in public. 

She will appear again on January 11.