Kildare court: Woman’s recovery could make for a ‘good news’ story, solicitor says

A Kildare woman’s tale of recovery from drugs and alcohol could make for a 'good news' story, according to her solicitor.

The comments were made by solicitor Tim Kennelly while he was speaking in defence of one of his clients at Naas District Court on Thursday, November 23 last.

The court was told that the woman, who cannot be identified due to reporting restrictions imposed by Judge Desmond Zaidan, committed two offences in 2021.

In the first incident, the woman, who is aged in her 30s, was caught driving while drunk in County Kildare. Gardaí added that she was then asked to provide a sample for analysis, but was unable to do so three times, and eventually outright refused to provide a sample to gardaí.

She then proceeded to become violent towards gardaí and tried to resist arrest.

When she was brought to a nearby garda station in order to provide a sample, she refused again to provide one.

Solicitor Tim Kennelly made the comments while representing his client.

She also managed to get one of her hands free from her handcuffs and proceeded to punch a garda twice.

In the second 2021 incident, gardaí came across the woman banging on the door of a property in Kildare.

When they went over to inspect her car, they saw that her two children were being neglected.

Specifically, gardaí said that the eldest child 'was cold and did not have a seatbelt on,' while the younger child was sat in the car without a car seat, and was crying as their nappy hadn’t been changed.

When gardaí brought her to a garda station, she 'became irate' and proceeded to assault a Garda Sergeant and spat in their face.

She also proceeded to grab the officer and 'slam their head into a wall a few times.'

The officer required physiotherapy following the incident.

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Speaking on his client’s behalf, Mr Kennelly acknowledged that her actions 'were deplorable and despicable', but he pointed to a probation report handed into the court, as well as a letter of apology written by the woman.

He said that she became addicted to alcohol and drugs after she graduated from college, and also became involved in an abusive relationship with her ex-partner.

Mr Kennelly further said that her mother now looks after his client’s two children.

He also said that she has remained alcohol free since 2021, and added: "She can be a good news story for people seeking to turn their lives around."

The judge then proceeded to read over her apology letter.

When he was informed by gardaí that her last conviction was in 2020, the judge said that he would impose a €500 peace bond for two years on the woman in addition to, imposing a four-year driving ban on her for the refusal offence.