A woman with more than 170 previous convictions had to be arrested and detained when she obstructed and halted runners taking part in the Galway City Harriers Streets of Galway 8k road race which took place on August 8 last.
Judge Adrian Harris was told at the September 1 sitting of Galway District Court that Bianca Fahy of 85, An Sean Bhaile, Doughiska, Galway stepped out into the path of race participants some minutes after the race started at Eyre Square and began obstructing and stopping some runners.
An on-duty Garda intervened but Fahy resisted arrest and an off-duty Garda had to lend assistance.
The defendant was also charged with the theft of two bottles of wine from Lidl on the Headford Road on July 25. A charge of being drunk on a bus at Seacrest, Knocknacara and abusing the driver was struck out.
Judge Harris was told Fahy had 173 previous convictions, including 45 for theft, 67 for public order and four for obstructing Gardaí while carrying out their duties.
Fahy’s barrister Garry McDonald admitted that his client had a terrible record but this was due to her alcohol addiction. She had a serious problem but always “puts her hand up” and admits to her offences, he said. Most of her theft convictions were for stealing alcohol but she rarely had any recollection what she had done and simply loses control, he added.
The defence asked for leniency, pointing out that Fahy had been in custody since her arrest at the road race.
Judge Harris imposed a total of eight-and-a-half months’ imprisonment, backdated to August 10 when she was first taken into custody. Recognisances were fixed in the event of an appeal on Fahy’s own bond of €300 cash.
