Young woman has a ‘serious alcohol’ issue

A 19-year-old woman has developed a serious problem with alcohol and faced offences under the Public Order Act on two occasions in a month, Sligo District Court heard.

Sorcha McLoughlin of 3a Upper John Street was before the court arising from two incidents on April 29 th and 1st last.

Inspector Paul Kilcoyne said that at 9.50pm on the 29 th Gardaí received a call from a member of the public that a woman was lying on the ground at Market Street. When Gardaí got there they woke the defendant who was unsteady on her feet.

She agreed to be taken home to her mother in the patrol car. On arrival at the house, Gardaí spoke to the defendant’s mother. At that stage the defendant began verbally abusing the Gardaí and despite her mother coming out to the patrol car she continued to be abusive.

On April 1st the defendant was arguing with a man at High Street at 7.25pm. She became abusive to Gardaí when they arrived and lashed out a window. She was subsequently arrested.

She did not have any previous convictions but had received a fixed notice charge in February 2017.

Mr Tom MacSharry, solicitor (defending), pleaded that the defendant was very apologetic on sobering up on the second occasion.

“She has developed a serious problem with alcohol but realises now the dangers of it,” he said.

Judge Kevin Kilrane said the defendant had committed offences one after the other, on April 1st and 29 th.

“I’m worreid,” he said.

He remanded the defendant on bail to September 21st for a probation report with a view to the defendant carrying out 100 hours of community service instead of two months in prison.