FINED | 

Dublin mum tried to glass garda in Ranelagh pub after being asked to leave

Patricia Martin (49) had been asked to leave bar after she claimed she was short-changed

Today at 07:08

A mother of one tried to strike a garda on the head with a glass when she was asked to leave a pub after claiming she had been short-changed for a drink.

Patricia Martin (49) had to be pepper-sprayed when she lunged at the officer, after making threats to staff.

Judge Treasa Kelly found her guilty of public order offences and fined her €300.

Martin, of Gulistan Cottages, Rathmines, had pleaded not guilty to garda obstruction and threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour last September 21.

Dublin District Court heard the incident happened at Lower Mount Pleasant, Ranelagh.

A garda said he was called to Corrigan’s pub, where he was told there was “some discrepancy” in the payment for a drink and the accused was asked to leave but refused.

She verbally abused staff, calling them “p***ks” and saying “you’ll be done after this”.

The garda was not sure what the connotation was but, “it was said in a threatening manner”. Martin had a glass in her hand and when the garda went to remove it, she “swung down” with it in a lunging motion towards his head.

It was a striking motion and an attempt to assault him, he said.

He had to catch her hand and put her down on a sofa.

Martin maintained she had been short-changed, and when gardaí arrived she said she just wanted her receipt and she would be happy to leave.

She told the court she had not been asked to leave by staff, she did not swear and the gardaí had picked her up and thrown her out of the pub.