Suspended prison sentence for Offaly woman who pulled wipers from motor vehicle

A WOMAN who pulled the wipers from a vehicle had come to court of her own accord Garda Stacey O'Brien told Judge Andrew Cody at last week's sitting of Tullamore District Court.

A bench warrant had been issued for the arrest of Linda McDonagh (36) of Church Hill, Tullamore when she failed to appear at a previous sitting.

Ms McDonagh was charged with unlawfully damaging the windscreen of a car, intending to damage such property by pulling the wipers from the vehicle.

Barrister David Nugent said to the judge that he could see from Ms McDonagh's face how chaotic her life is.

He said she has two children with autism and she earns €310 per week.

He said she has gone through quite a difficult time. She is single and is not engaged with her past relationship. But it keeps rearing its head, he said.

Mr Nugent asked the court to extend time for payment, as she didn't have the ability or funds.

Judge Andrew Cody noted that evidence was to have been produced that the injured party had been paid compensation.

He sentenced Ms McDonagh to three months in prison which he suspended for two years.

She also has to pay €300 to Garda Bannon as compensation to the injured party.