Woman was assaulted at Laois estate

A woman admitted attacking another woman and pulling her hair in Abbeyleix.

Zoe Walsh (35) of 42 Gort na Nóir, Abbeyleix, admitted assaulting the woman at Gort na Nóir, Abbeyleix on March 29, 2025.

Anne Doyle BL told a sitting of Portlaoise District Court that the case was listed for finalisation and a plea of guilty had been entered at a previous sitting.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the injured party had informed Gardaí that the woman “attacked her by grabbing her by the hair and head” on the date in question.

He said the incident occurred at 8.50pm and the woman didn’t receive any medical attention.

Ms Doyle said her client had a good work history and was employed mainly in retail. She said the woman’s life had been “blighted by addiction” but she had “turned her life around” in recent years and was free of substances for a number of months. She said the woman had brought a letter of apology to court and is taking responsibility for her actions.

She said the woman loves animals and volunteers with the Laois SPCA. She asked the court to be as lenient as possible.

Judge Andrew Gubbins noted there had been an issue between the woman and the injured party’s partner but the issue has since been resolved.

“It has had an effect on the injured party’s children,” said Judge Gubbins, who read an extract from a victim impact statement which said, “they no longer feel safe in the estate where they live”.

Ms Doyle said the children hadn’t witnessed the incident but “had to wake up to their mother with a black eye” and she described their fear as being “vicarious”.

Judge Gubbins noted that the woman had no previous convictions for assault or any violent crimes but added that “this incident has had an effect on the injured party and her children”.

He imposed a one month sentence which he suspended for six months on condition she keep the peace and be of good behaviour.

At Ms Doyle’s request, he fixed recognisance in case of appeal.