Woman jailed for assaults in Laois and Offaly
The court was told the woman was known to go into people’s houses and make herself at home
A judge jailed a woman who was facing three assault and dozens of public order charges.
Ozlet Muwaniri (38) of 73 Crann Nua, Portarlington, pleaded guilty to assaulting a garda causing harm at Tullamore Garda Station on May 24 last, to assault at Dunnes Pharmacy, Main Street, Portarlington on December 9, 2024 and to assault of a security guard at Portlaoise Train Station on March 27 last.
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the accused was in custody in Tullamore and when a female Garda was tasked with searching her, she turned around suddenly and kicked out injuring the Garda in the arm. Sgt Kirby said the woman had 51 previous convictions and Judge Andrew Cody noted, “and 51 charges today”.
Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said the charges were “by and large” public order, petty theft and trespass. Her client, who is in custody, appeared in court accompanied by prison officers.
“The court would have had the benefit of probation reports over the years,” she said.
Sgt Kirby said the woman’s first conviction dates back to 2009.
Ms Fitzpatrick said her client came to Ireland from Zimbabwe at the age of 13 and had completed secondary school in Ireland but had been diagnosed with schizo-effective disorder and she had been keeping bad company and abusing alcohol. She said there was no doubt that psychosis was prevailing in the background.
She said medication had helped and her client wants to lead a normal life.
“My instructions are that properly medicated she would like to return home,” said Ms Fitzpatrick.
“It is not a lifestyle that she has chosen but unfortunately the choices she has made have led her to where she is today,” said Ms Fitzpatrick. She said the woman’s parents are “very much invested in supporting her”. Judge Cody questioned the willingness of her parents to take her home.
Ms Fitzpatrick said “we can’t hold her in custody because she has a mental health issue”.
Judge Cody said there were a number of charges for public order and the theft of alcohol. However, he said it was the three assaults that he would like to hear about.
Sgt Kirby said the woman had gone into Dunnes Pharmacy in Portarlington and “caused considerable damage” to a number of displays. He said she then spat at a staff member just missing her. He said responding Gardaí found the accused “in the middle of the road on French Church Street. She was highly intoxicated”. Sgt Kirby said “the assault in that case was spit but it didn’t contact luckily”.
He then outlined the assault at Tullamore Garda Station. Sgt Kirby said the Garda suffered bruises and went for an x-ray but no bones were broken. The Garda had pain and swelling to her right hand.
The incident at Portlaoise Train Station occurred on March 27 at 6.50pm. He said she was highly intoxicated and had to be restrained. “She assaulted the security staff worker, kicking him in the arm,” said Sgt Kirby.
Sgt Kirby said there would be some concern about the defendant’s safety.
“She goes into people’s homes and makes herself at home. And people’s cars,” he explained.
Ms Fitzpatrick said it was a mental health issue exacerbated by alcohol and substance abuse.
“There is nobody going to be punished for being unwell in this court,” said Judge Cody.
However, he said if someone has mental health difficulties and they don’t take their medication and they abuse alcohol then that is an aggravating factor.
Ms Fitzpatrick said her client had gone for residential treatment but didn’t complete it.
“I don’t punish anybody for being unwell, that is not the purpose of this court and never will be,” said Judge Cody.
He said there has to be a deterrent and the public must be protected and someone who is unwell must take their medication and abstain from substances.
“All of these offences appear to be alcohol fueled,” he told Ms Fitzpatrick. “That appears to me to be the single aggravating factor,” he said.
Judge Cody said three of the 51 charges were not being prosecuted but there remained 48. He took 45 of these into consideration and sentenced the woman in relation to the three assaults.
He sentenced her to a total of 15 months with the final five months suspended for two years and he backdated the sentence to May 25. He fixed recognisance in case of appeal.