A troubled and abusive woman tried to swallow a ring and bit a garda’s arm following her arrest for public order offences, the Galway District Court heard this week.
Donna Costello (34 ) with addresses given as 10 Westview, Cloonfad, Roscommon, and 142 Ard Alainn, Ballybane, Galway, appeared before Judge Aeneas McCarthy on Monday and pleaded guilty to failing to provide a name and address when directed, to resisting Garda Karina Callinan at Abbeygate Street, and assaulting the same garda at Galway Garda Station on May 13, 2010.
Garda Callinan gave evidence that the defendant was observed in an intoxicated state in Abbeygate Street Upper. When approached Costello refused to give her details and became abusive. This behaviour got increasingly worse at Galway Garda Station where Costello, who had three rings on her fingers, tried to swallow one of them and then bit Garda Callinan on the arm. When taken to the hospital Costello refused treatment and continued to be abusive.
Regarding previous convictions the court heard that Costello received the Probation Act in November 2007 for possession of drugs and threatening and abusive behaviour, and there were a number of convictions for public order offences between 1999 and 2004.
Defence solicitor Adrian MacLynn said that his client has a “history of personality disorder”, before handing in a report to the court. He explained that Costello had been born in England but moved to Ireland and lived with her parents up until 1995. However, when her parents seperated Costello struggled to cope and became homeless. Mr MacLynn added that Costello is a person with a history of pshchiatric treatment, is on anti-depressant medication, and who be suitable for the intervention of the probation services.
“This was a pretty vicious attack,” replied Judge McCarthy.
“I’m asking for her to be monitored,” said Mr MacLynn, who added that Costello has received help since becoming involved with the Simon Community and that her problems are compounded by alcohol.
After consideration Judge McCarthy remanded Costello on continuing bail to October 19 to allow time for the preparation of a probation report.
