Setfireto barrack buzzer

A woman who set fire to sensor at the gate of Aiken Barracks had her case adjourned last week so she can gather compensation for the damage.

Mary Burgess (48) with an address at Balbriggan Street, Skerries was before the court on a charge of criminal damage arising out of the incident - and public order offences relating to a separate occasion.

Gardai received a report at 7.40pm on July 18 that criminal damage had been caused to the front gate of the army barracks.

Burgess had spoken to a member of the Defence Forces on duty and then approached a sensor, removed the cover and used a lighter to burn it. The damage cost €220 to fix.

Three days later, Burgess entered Leavy’s Pharmacy on Clanbrassil Street, around 2.20pm, she was aggressive towards staff and when gardai arrived a number of items were found thrown on the floor and she continued to act in an aggressive manner.

Burgess has 40 previous convictions for mostly for public order offences.

Solicitor Paul Tiernan said his client is well known to the court and has a history of alcohol abuse.

She had no memory of the incident at the barracks but when she realised what she’d done, she wrote a letter of apology to the OC.

Mr Tiernan said when sober, Burgess ‘is a completely different person’. She continues to attend alcohol addiction counselling and will pay compensation if given time.

Mr Tiernan urged the court not to impose a custodial sentence as he argued that she has been in prison before and it doesn’t seem to have made any difference.

She has been off drink for four months.

The case was adjourned to March 3 for a probation report and Judge Brennan said he also wanted the issue of compensation to be addressed.