Gothelpfordrink problem

A Dundalk woman who was found to be drunk at the Simon Community and refused to leave in the morning, and who also admitted being intoxicated at a shopping centre has been given the benefit of the Probation Act after the judge was told she has been getting the help she needs with her drinking.

Eileen Fee, (47), whose address was given as care of Dundalk Simon, Barrack Street, admitted the offence which happened at shortly after 10.30am on August 27 last year. Gardai went to the homeless charity after receiving a report about Fee being drunk. They found her in the main hallway and staff had locked a room because service users have to vacate their accommodation by 9am each day.

Fee ‘refused to calm down’ and was abusive to Gardai and staff and was arrested.

The defendant also pleaded guilty to being drunk at the Long Walk Shopping Centre on November 11 2015. At about 5pm.

Solicitor Eleanor Kelly said her client, who is living at the Simon Community, is getting regular counselling. Ms Kelly said the Probation Service may be some help to Fee to ‘set her on the right path and offer her services that she is not getting’.

The case had been adjourned for a probation report, which, Ms Kelly told Judge Flann Brennan, showed Fee ‘is addressing her difficulties and is getting the helps he needs with her addiction’.

After hearing she has just one previous for a traffic offence, Judge Brennan dismissed the charges and told the defendant: ‘I will give you one chance on this occasion. You have done everything required and hopefully you can move on from this’.