‘VERY MESSY’ | 

Woman (35) who punched, scratched, kicked and tried to bite garda is jailed

Laura Malone told the garda she would: “Hang his children, cut his wife’s throat and find his house no matter what.”

Today at 14:50

A woman who punched a Garda in the face and threatened his family was sentenced to five months in jail at a recent sitting of Bandon District Court in West Cork.

Sgt Tom Mulcahy told the court that on the afternoon of January 4th 2024 gardaí received a call of an alleged theft taking place at Hernon’s Service Station, Cloughmacsimon, Bandon. Sgt. Kevin Heffernan was on duty at the time and responded to the call.

When he arrived at the Londis store at the service station he found Laura Malone (35) of no fixed abode, Killaloe, Co Clare and another woman whom was alleged to have stolen alcohol from the shop.

Sgt Heffernan said that Ms Malone was very aggressive and he took the view that she was so drunk she was a danger to herself and to others.

He attempted to arrest her but she resisted and assaulted Sgt Heffernan.

The court heard that Ms Malone punched Sgt Heffernan in the face, scratched him, kicked him in the stomach and attempted to bite him.

The court heard that she continued to resist arrest and threatened Sgt Heffernan telling him she would: “Hang his children, cut his wife’s throat and find his house no matter what.”

The court heard that Ms Malone had nine previous convictions for a variety of offences and had already been sentenced to four months in prison at Ennis District Court on January 17th.

Defence solicitor Myra Dineen said that Ms Malone was a mother of one child and she had fallen into addiction in recent years.

She said that she had issues in relation to alcohol and drugs but was attempting to address them and had previously attended rehab but had relapsed.

She said: “She has insight into her situation and really needs to get treatment. She needs support services to help her.”

Ms Malone wrote a letter of apology to Sgt Heffernan which she read to the court becoming quite emotional as she did so.

She said: “I am disgusted with myself and can only hope that you can accept that I am truly sorry. My addiction is not the real me.”

Judge James McNulty said: “They were gallivanting.

“It got messy, then it got very messy and then it got ominous. She was still saucy enough even when confronted by the gardaí to threaten the sergeant in a very dark way, not only him but his wife and home.”

He added: “In fairness she has tried to do something about it. She knows the drill and has worn the t-shirt. The court can only hope that a custodial sentence will assist her to stay sober.”

For the obstruction charge she was sentenced to five months in prison to commence when her previous four month sentence is completed. Three other charges were taken into consideration and she was also fined €100 on a further charge of failing to appear at Killaloe District Court.

Recognisance for appeal was fixed on her own bond of €100 no cash required, as well as an independent surety of €1,500 with one third in cash.