Woman assaulted at Laois golf club

A woman admitted dragging another woman by the hair at a golf club in Laois.

Lorraine Stokes, 42, of 24 Thornberry, Abbeyleix admitted assaulting a woman at Abbeyleix Golf Club on May 8 last year. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said there was an event on in the golf club on the night in question. He said the defendant approached the woman and “grabbed her by the hair and dragged her to the ground. He said the defendant had one previous conviction for assault. 

Solicitor Josphine Fitzpatrick said her client was pleading guilty. She said the accused woman’s father had died prior to the incident. 

“She would say the injured party was saying unhelpful things about her father,” said Ms Fitzpatrick. 

She said the accused was helping with the clean up when the incident occurred. Ms Fitzpatrick said her client claimed that when she returned to her table the injured party was sitting there.

Judge Andrew Cody asked if the injured party would agree with that version. 

Sgt Kirby said the woman had written a letter of apology to the injured party. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said the woman brought €100 to court. She said the two women have passed one another since and nothing has happened. She suggested restorative justice. 

However, Judge Cody fined the woman €300 and gave her six months to pay. He said the defendant needs to learn to walk away from incidents.