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Barbie-themed ‘going away’ party held for pregnant mum before she’s jailed for assault

Among them included images of Ms Keenan posing with revellers in a pink catsuit

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These are the brazen pictures taken at a ‘going away’ jail party of a pregnant young Longford mother who was jailed for carrying out a “crazed cannibal attack” that left another woman with multiple scars.

Twenty-three-year-old Nicole Keenan, of Ardnacassa Avenue, Longford handed herself into prison authorities last Friday after failing to overturn a five month sentence handed down at Longford District Court last March.

That sentence came after the Longford woman was convicted by Judge Vincent Deane for what he described as a “vicious” assault on Rosaleen Ward on February 21st, 2022 at Main Street, Longford.

The incident, which also involved her twin sister Tia being charged with assault and public order, left Ms Ward with “multiple scars” after the victim was repeatedly bitten inside a car on the main street of the midlands town.

The court had previously heard of how gardaí had come across the incident after noticing a man and a woman standing at the passenger door of a car.

Upon closer inspection, Garda Noelle Fahy told of seeing two women on top of a third woman inside the car.

CCTV footage of the incident showed Garda Fahy forcibly dragging Nicole Keenan from the car before arresting her moments later.

Details of a victim impact statement from Ms Ward were also read out into open court.

In it, Ms Ward said since the attack, which took place in broad daylight and in full view of shocked bystanders, she no longer felt at ease when out in public.

“I feel extra vulnerable now that I am pregnant and I am very afraid that both these girls are going to beat me again,” she said.

“Since the attack, I have been left with multiple scars on my arms and hip and I feel very self conscious about showing my arms and hip and my hair has been falling out over the stress.”

Judge Deane described the attack on Ms Ward as “serious” and one that would ordinarily attract a seven month jail term before mitigation was factored in.

He said what especially troubled him was how Nicole Keenan could desert her young child on a busy street to carry out the assault on Ms Ward.

Ms Keenan was sentenced to seven months in prison with the final two suspended for two years, while her sister Tia was handed a six month prison term, which was fully suspended.

Nicole Keenan immediately lodged an appeal against the sentence in a hearing that was heard at Longford Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Kenneth Connolly.

Despite the appeal and agreeing to vary the sentence to a slightly reduced seven month term with four months suspended, Judge Connolly ordered the Longford woman to present herself to prison bosses at Mountjoy’s Dóchas Centre by 2pm last Friday.

Ahead of that court order, Ms Keenan was joined for a fancy dress “going away party” at a restaurant in Longford town.

Family members and friends came together for the glitzy bash, pictures of which have since been posted on social media.

Among them included images of Ms Keenan posing with revellers in a pink catsuit with another image showing the young expectant mother smiling over a custom made ‘jailbird’ pink cake.

“See you guys in three months,” Ms Keenan wrote in a post ahead of her incarceration followed by an emoji of a police car and judge.

“Hate me or love me, the underdogs on top.”