Solicitor tells court education system is letting down our young people

A solicitor told Sligo District Court that the education system was letting down our young people. HE made the remarks as he was defending two young women charged with assault during an incident at a house party during rag week.

Before the court were Julie Walsh of 29 Riverside Grove, Ballina and Amy O’Hora of The Spires, Church Road, Ballina.

Walsh was charged with assault causing harm to Sarah Hillis and common assault on Maeve Kenny. O’Hora faced charges of assaulting Louise Henry and Joan Egan.

During the sentencing hearing of the two women, who are studying to become childminders, Mr Gerard McGovern, solicitor (defending) said not enough was being done to warn young people of the dangers of alcohol abuse and that it was too late to be talking to them in secondary schools and it needed to be done at a younger age.

The court heard that the matters first came before the court some time back but were adjourned to see if the victims wished to give evidence.

Inspector said they didn’t wish t appear in court but handed in two statements from them to Judge Kevin Kilrane. The Inspector outlined how on February 6 th 2017 there was a house party or “social gathering” at 19 Glencarraig when the defendants entered uninvited and enquired about getting drugs.

Maeve Kenny asked Walsh to leave but she was pulled to the ground. Sarah Hillis was struck in the mouth by Walsh which resulted in damage to one of her teeth.

Both defendants were escorted from the house and while outside, Walsh used an umbrella to damage a car belonging to Maeve Kenny. Neither of the defendants had any previous convictions.

Mr McGovern said it was a sad situation. Both defendants were aged 20 and had come to college in Sligo.

“Whatever goes wrong when they go out on town during Rag Week and get out of their tree with alcohol.

“They wandered from party to party which appear to be on during the day and all night.. They wandered from house to house, there’s nothing like an invitation or anything like that,” he said.

Mr McGovern said the defendants were young and very vulnerable and the it was a sad situation. He believed it was too late to talk to secondary schools about alcohol.

The defendants, he believed, had been let down by the education system.

People were getting involved in drinking and taking drugs younger and younger, he said.

“We should have something in our education system to address this,” he added.

He acknowledged that the women’s behaviour had been outrageous.

“They were out of their tree with whatever,” said Mr McGovern.

They were fearful of the outcome and were asking for mercy, he added.

There was €265 in court for the car damage and €1,100 in respect of the dental treatment.

Judge Kevin Kilrane noted that no parent of Amy O’Hora was in court and he said this spoke for itself.

Their daughter was facing prison and she didn’t have their support.

Walsh was asked by the Judge what had happened and she replied she had no excuse and that she felt absolutely dreadful over it.

It was rag week and things got a bit out of hand.

Asked if she had anything to say to the victims by Mr McGovern, Walsh said: “I’m absolutely ashamed of my actions and I’m sorry,” she said.

O’Hora said she was disgusted by what she had done but that it was out of character. “Why drink so much” - Mr McGovern. “Keeping up with everyone else there” - defendant.

“I apologise. It should never have happened. I feel so bad, I don’t even know them,” she added.

O’Hora said her mother couldn’t make the court but that she also did not want her to be there to see it. She was supportive of her.

Judge Kilrane held up a circle he had drawn on a piece of paper and said the defendants had stepped out of the circle but the question was would they come back in to a supportive mechanism present in the family.

That would give assurance to the court, he said.

“I am concerned that no one is here to support her (O’Hora)”- Judge.

He needed a parent to explain and give assurance to the court.

He added that he believed it wasn’t the education system which was at fault and that there was a role for parents too.

Mr McGovern said he didn’t think the defendants realised what they were doing to their lives.

Judge Kilrane said it was a vicious assault but they were young and he didn’t want to ruin their lives.

He put the case back for 12 months and said that over the next year they must engage in voluntary work of at least five hours a week.

“Then, I may leave you without a criminal conviction,” he said.