Dublin woman tore out supermarket worker's hair over Facebook post
A mother of one pulled a clump of hair out of a woman's head over a Facebook post in a row described by her defence as a 'cautionary tale on the dangers of social media'.
Robyn Barnwell (25) went to the woman's workplace in a Dublin supermarket and attacked her after the victim posted an 'inflammatory' message that she believed put a member of her family in danger.
Adjourning the case, Judge Treasa Kelly said she would consider applying the Probation Act if Barnwell paid €1,500 in compensation.
The judge acknowledged that the accused had got 'carried away in the heat of the moment', but said that it was 'totally unacceptable behaviour in a civilised society'.
Barnwell, a commercial painter and 'talented footballer', of Raheen Park, Ballyfermot, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm.
Dublin District Court heard the accused went to Aldi, Kylemore Road on August 2 last year, punched the woman in the face several times and pulled a clump of hair from her head.
Barnwell had no previous convictions.
The court heard the victim had posted information on Facebook about a member of Barnwell's family who was married to a man who had been sentenced for a serious crime.
The accused felt this was 'opportunistic' as it was none of the woman's business and it put her relative, who was 'blameless', in danger.
'She appears to have put this post up because she doesn't like the Barnwell family,' defence solicitor Lorraine Stephens said.
Robyn Barnwell pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. Photo: Paddy Cummins
The accused knew where the woman was working and went to 'have a discussion with her' but emotions were running high, and there was a verbal altercation that turned physical.
'She accepts she should never have gone to [the victim's] place of business, it was the wrong behaviour for the right reason, she deeply regrets it,' Ms Stephens said.
There was an 'element of provocation' due to the inflammatory language used on the Facebook post and it was a 'cautionary tale of the dangers of social media', Ms Stephens said.
There was 'bad blood' behind the case and the incident was an 'isolated incident provoked by emotional distress'.
Robyn Barnwell pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. Photo: Paddy Cummins
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