A woman who drunkenly abused gardai during a Paddy's Day session because she was annoyed that the landlord served her 16-year-old daughter had her charges dismissed in court this week (May 13 ) after receiving a dressing down from the judge.
The court heard how Bridie Quigley (45 ) from Cartron Drive, Athlone was arrested on Church Street on March 17 at 11pm for being “extremely abusive” to gardai.
Her solicitor, Mr Padraig Quinn, told the court his client was “mortified” to be in court on such charges.
“She had been in a public house where her 16-year-old was served and she took issue with the publican and got ejected,” he said.
“She is no example to her daughter,” said Judge John Neilan.
“If she had any concern for her daughter, she would've been at home or in a location where alcohol wasn't present. It beggars belief that she brings her to a pub and then gets excited when her daughter is given drink.”
“Would you ever cop yourself on?” said the judge to the defendant.
“You're the type of person trying to get onto the Joe Duffy or Pat Kenny show every day to give out. If you had any respect for yourself or concerns for your daughter, you shouldn't've been there.
“What do you expect of a 16-year-old girl when her mother is stone drunk up in the pub. It's because of people like you that young people start drinking. This is a prime example of what's going on in the country every day of the week. Perhaps this will re-awaken her motherly instincts.
“You know, there was no vandalism or behaviour like this 30, 40, 50 years ago. Why was that? Because of the parents. I wouldn't have been in a pub when I was 16 years old and if I was and my parents found out, I would've got a kick up my transom. And I wouldn't have gone down to the garda station crying that my parents kicked me.”
Having said his piece, Judge Neilan dismissed the charges on account of Quigley's guilty plea and her having no previous convictions.
