Derry woman in court over assaults on Gardai

A WOMAN has appeared in court charged with assaulting six Gardaí in Donegal at the weekend.

Sarah Maguire (39), of Tyrconnell Street in Derry, was brought before a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court on Sunday evening.

Maguire faced a total of ten charges relating to incidents in Buncrana on Saturday, April 24.

For incidents at Railway Road, Buncrana, Maguire is charged with using threatening, abusive of insulting behaviour, of being intoxicated in a public place, failing to provide her name and address to Gardaí, of assault on a civilian and assault of a Garda.

Maguire was further charged with five counts of assaulting separate members of An Garda Síochána – incidents which occurred at different times.

After one of the charges, Maguire told the Garda: “I could not understand. Do you speak English?”

To another, she replied: “Can I can get one of your translators?” and laughed.

Garda Deirdre Connolly told the Court that Maguire first came to Garda attention after a report from an injured party in what was described as “an unprovoked attack”.

Garda Inspector Paul McHugh said there was one previous bench warrant for Maguire, which was in existence from 2003 and which was executed earlier this year.

Defence solicitor, Rory O’Brien said his client was a ‘Jekyll and Hyde character’ whose circumstances were described as ‘tragic’.

“I have a brief insight into the picture and it’s bleak,” Mr O’Brien said.

“I would ask the court to give Ms Maguire the chance to have bail and prove to the court that she can abide by the directions.”

A file will be sent to the DPP for directions within seven days.

Judge Paul Kelly remanded Maguire on her own bail to appear before Buncrana District Court on June 10.

Maguire is to remain sober, commit no offence, be of good behaviour and sign on at Buncrana Garda Station once a week.

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