Woman assaulted hotel receptionist in Laois

A woman grabbed a receptionist by the lapels as she was checking out a hotel in Laois. 

Liene Rudzite (48) of Clontyglass, Abbeyleix admitted assaulting a woman at the Maldron Hotel, Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise on February 7 last. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the incident happened around midday when the defendant was checking out and “became aggressive” with reception staff. 

He said the defendant began “pulling the injured party’s lapel which in turn caught her hair”. The accused had two previous convictions, he said. 

Counsel for the accused said his client, who was pleading guilty, was from Latvia and had worked in Dublin airport. He said she had epilepsy and hadn’t taken her medication for a couple of days and became confused and irritated as a result. 

He said his client was very embarrassed and worried about the potential impact of a conviction.

She is “concerned that she might not get a chance to work airside at the airport,” he explained.  He said his client acknowledged the upset she had caused but said there were no physical injuries as a result of the assault. 

Judge Susan Fay said she would give the woman some time to come up with €350 for the injured party. She also asked for a victim impact statement. The case was adjourned back to Portlaoise District Court on May 12, 2025.