Woman abused gardai and damaged lights at Letterkenny Darkness Into Light event

A drunken woman who verbally abused Gardai and kicked and stamped on tea lights at a Darkness Into Light event in Letterkenny has been fined after she appeared in court.

Aine Little appeared at Letterkenny District Court where she faced a number of charges relating to the event.

The court was told that the 49-year-old was found drunk and shouting on Letterkenny's Main Street at 3.55am on May 5, 2022.

The area was busy with people taking part in the local Darkness Into Light charity event for Pieta House to raise funds for those coping with suicide or depression.

She was approached by Garda Sergeant Harvey Maughan and asked to stop but continued to shout.

She also stamped on and kicked a number of tea lights which had been placed on the street by those taking part in the event.

She told Garda Sergeant Maughan to "fuck off" when she was approached and was arrested under the Public Order Act.

A fixed-charge penalty notice was issued to Ms Little but she failed to pay it.

She was charged that on May 5, 2022 at Main Street, Letterkenny Co. Donegal, did at 03:55am engage in offensive conduct in that she did stamp on and kicked tea lights placed on the street, placed there for a charity walk and shouting at members of the public in an aggressive manner.

The charge was Contrary to Section 5 (1)(a) of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994 as amended by Section 22 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 2008

She was also charged that on the same date she was present in said public place while intoxicated to such an extent as would give rise to a reasonable apprehension that you might endanger yourself or any other person in your vicinity.

This charge was Contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994 as amended by Section 22 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008

The court was also told that the accused had six previous convictions but went back to 2005 and were mostly for traffic offences.

Solicitor for the accused, of Oaklands Park, Letterkenny, Mr Frank Dorrian, said his client was somewhat intoxicated and upset on the night and deeply regretted what had happened.

However, Judge Eiteain Cunningham said what had happened at the event was "unacceptable at every level."

She stressed that this was a very worthwhile charity event and that very often those attending had suffered personally.

Judge Cunningham added that she wanted to be clear about the court's view on such public order matters and fined Little €300 for the Section 5 offence and took all other matters into consideration.

She allowed Little five months to pay the fine.