Judge Neilan told a 21-year-old Mullingar woman that she had committed the “foulest and one of the most offensive assaults” when she spat in the face of a garda.
Amy Golden, formerly of 172 Dalton Park but with an address currently at 14 O’Growney Drive, pleaded guilty to the offence which occurred on January 29 this year.
She has been ordered to consider appropriate compensation.
Gardaí were dealing with a public order matter when Ms Golden intervened. She was extremely intoxicated and began shouting. She resisted arrest and kicked at the patrol car, refusing to get in when she was arrested.
Once in the car, she spat in the face of Garda Eric Naughten.
In March of this year she was arrested again for public order offences when she was extremely drunk at a house party and began shouting and roaring at gardaí when they approached her, telling them to f*** off and asking them what their problem was.
Mr John Quinn said his client’s mother had moved address to take matters in hand. Ms Golden had no previous convictions and appreciated her behaviour was appalling.
She hasn’t drunk since the week following the incident.
Judge Neilan said the offence normally carries five months’ imprisonment in his court, but adjourned the case for a probation report.
He also reminded Ms Golden that while intoxicated she was “extremely vulnerable to predators,” even though she appeared “vocally and physically capable of looking after herself”.
He commended her for abstaining from alcohol and for engaging with Open Door to deal with her addiction but said that if she is contrite, he would expect a contribution towards compensation.
“Consider if someone landed a foul spit right bang in the centre of your teeth, how would you feel?” he asked.
