Admitted public order offence after 'shouting match" in Portlaoise courthouse

A woman who engaged in threatening behaviour at Portlaoise District Court was given a suspended sentence. 

Melissa McInerney, 32, of 39 Silverglen, Mountmellick admitted a theft from Supervalu in Moutmellick on Feburary 23, 2022 and threatening and abusive behaviour at Portlaoise District Court on March 25 last year. 

Sgt JJ Kirby said the defendant had been in court on March 25. He said there was a number of people present and the defendant had acted in such a way to put people in fear. He said she had 15 previous convictions. 

A solicitor for the accused said his client had suffered a bereavement shortly before the offences. He explained that she had taken the items but had returned the following day and paid for them. 

In relation to the court, he said she had been leaving the court when another person followed her and began shouting at her. He described what ensued as “a short shouting match”.

“There was no physical altercation,” he explained. He said his client is apologetic.  

Judge Andrew Cody imposed a three month suspended sentence for the theft and a one month suspended sentence for the public order offence. He said the total four month sentence was suspended for three years.