Woman claims hair extensions torn out, but case dismissed

ASSAULT charges against two women involved in a fracas outside a 21st birthday party in Ballinaboola were dismissed by Judge Gerard Haughton.

Those facing prosecution for allegedly causing harm to Nikita Martin were Nichole Culleton (20), 32 The Willows, Wellingtonbridge and Shannon McDonald (21) from Kilcavan, Wellingtonbridge.

Not guilty pleas were lodged at the District Court sitting at Ardcavan in Wexford where Ms Martin was the first witness called to give her recollection of what occurred outside the Horse & Hound in the early hours of May 31, 2105.

She told the judge that she sustained blows to head, face and body as she was sprawled on the ground with a woman called Roisín Murphy, who was not in court.

Witness Gemma Griffin stated that she saw defendant Nichole Culleton kick the injured party in the head while she was down.

Ms Martin claimed that when she got to her feet, she was then struck three times in the face by defendant Shannon McDonald.

The court was told that injuries suffered by the 24 year old included weakened sight in the right eye and muscle damage, while all her hair extensions were pulled out.

Ms Martin accepted that she had received a formal garda caution for assaulting Roisín Murphy that night.

In statements taken by Garda John Haley, Ms Culleton said that Ms Martin started the fight while Ms McDonald said that she swung her arm trying to separate two of the fighting women.

The co-accused were not required to give testimony, as Judge Haughton ruled that the prosecution case had not been made beyond reasonable doubt.

He found the evidence contradictory and he also felt that the court had not been shown who it was that caused the facial injury.

With no CCTV evidence to assist him, he dismissed the charges.