Woman who attacked sister-in-law with fingernails and beat up neighbour avoids jail
A woman, who used her fingernails to attack her sister-in-law at a post office in Dublin, after previously punching, kicking and pulling the hair of a mother on a school run, has avoided jail.
Claire Redmond, 26, of Forestwood Avenue, Santry, Dublin 9, pleaded guilty to charges of assault causing harm to two women in 2022.
She walked free from court and avoided a criminal record.
Dublin District Court heard that the incidents occurred at the Post Office on Ballymun Road, and the other involved her next-door neighbour, who has since passed away.
Judge Treasa Kelly had heard that the first incident on February 10, when her 35-year-old neighbour went to collect a child from school. Redmond passed her on an electric scooter and "called her a tramp".
She repeatedly used the slur before the attack. The woman fell to the ground, where Redmond kicked her in the stomach and head.
The accused then grabbed the woman by her hair and punched her, resulting in cuts, bleeding and bruising.
The court was informed that they had got on well growing up, but at the time, Redmond had suffered a breakdown.
Judge Kelly had heard the incident left the victim, who has since passed away, in a distressed state and suffering from anxiety.
The second attack happened on November 10. Redmond's sister-in-law, 25, was waiting in line when she was tapped on the shoulder, and the accused told her she would be "waiting outside".
She then said, "Fuck it, I'll do it here" and grabbed the woman's face with her fingernails, punched her, and kneed her in the face while holding her by the hair.
Bystanders yelled, "Get off her, get off her," and the assault stopped when two staff members dragged Redmond away.
Gardai obtained CCTV evidence, but victim impact statements were not forthcoming, with Judge Kelly noting that the neighbour has since passed away.
The defence understood her sister-in-law may not have reconciled with Redmond, but had no ill feelings towards her now.
She had no prior convictions but had been given the benefit of the Probation of Offenders Act and spared a criminal record last year for a public order offence.
The judge said defendants typically receive that just once.
Her solicitor, Andrew Broderick, stated that Redmond was extremely remorseful. In pleading for leniency, he explained that when his client was younger, she had been put out of her family home and stayed in hostels. She developed drug and alcohol problems, including cocaine and tablet abuse.
Around the time of the assaults, Redmond returned to Ballymun to try and get back into her family home, but "things escalated".
Mr Broderick submitted that the attacks were not premeditated, and Redmond's emotions got the better of her while she was in the throes of drug addiction and had mental health difficulties.
The solicitor emphasised that she was ambitious and, now that she has recovered, wished to train to become an addiction counsellor, rebuild her life and move to Australia. She was anxious to avoid a recorded conviction so that she could go there.
He provided letters showing Redmond had completed a five-month residential treatment course, which also addressed anger management, and had quit alcohol and drugs.
He added that she had not offended since and had become a very different person.
She had also co-operated with the Probation Service about restorative justice and stopped coming to Garda attention, the solicitor said.
She also brought €500 to court, which the judge ordered to be given to her sister-in-law.
Noting the reports on her progress and the mitigation plea, she held that she could again apply the Probation of Offenders Act.
However, she stressed that it was "very, very unusual" to get this chance and warned her that if she ever appeared in court again, she would face a much harsher penalty.
Redmond did not give evidence, thanked he judge at the conclusion of the hearing.
Dublin District Court
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