Augher woman could not recall kicking and spitting at police

Roisin Mahoney, 38, from Myrtle Heights, appeared at Dungannon Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

She was charged with assaulting two police officers, resisting arrest and disorderly behaviour after an incident which occurred on Main Street, Augher on November 11.

The court was told that police were tasked to the scene after a man had to restrain the defendant, who was intoxicated, on the footpath of the street.

Mahoney refused to get into the police car, and began striking two constables on their knees and legs, as well as spitting at another.

Her defence solicitor said that Mahoney had absolutely no recollection of the incident, and that it had been completely out of character. She was fully appreciative of the seriousness of the incident, and was appalled to learn about her conduct, for which she apologised.

Mahoney was described as a single mother with long history of psychological problems and alcohol abuse.

She had attended an alcohol addiction treatment centre for three months, in an attempt to address her behaviour. However, in an unguarded moment with her probation officer, she had admitted that her alcohol addiction may prevent her in engaging with a commmunity service order. District Judge John Meehan remarked that this comment showed how much faith she had in her treatment. He warned her that the attack brought her to a new level of violence.