Woman in Midlands with 'inability to mind her own business' appears in court

A woman with an “inability to mind her own business” confronted a neighbour because their tax was out of date. 

Geraldine Doheny (50) of 15 Old Forge Crescent, Mountrath had been convicted of criminal damage and engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour at Old Forge Crescent, Mountrath on August 9, 2024 at a previous court sitting. 

Garda Finn Hogan said the defendant had two previous convictions. One for affray and one for criminal damage. He said the previous convictions related to incidents where the woman had stood in front of a car as it drove into an estate. He said a man had been headbutted. “Later a hurl was produced not for the manner it was intended,” said Garda Hogan. 

He said the latest incident occurred in the same estate where the defendant had committed criminal damage and was aggressive with neighbours. 

Donal Callaghan BL said the woman had a “very turbulent” relationship with her neighbour. He said the woman is housed by the council and “has sought a transfer” but hasn’t been moved. 

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He explained that the criminal damage related to a necklace which is believed to have been lost down a drain and which was never recovered. 

“She is not a career criminal,” Mr Callaghan said, insisting she was “not someone who goes about town committing crimes.” He said there was a verbal disagreement over the neighbour not having tax. He said his client accepted the court’s verdict. 

Mr Callagan said his client was living next door to the injured party and jailing her “was not going to reduce the risk in the future.”  He said his client was on disability and was waiting for operations on both ankles. 

“What I would suggest is restorative justice,” he said.  He suggested his client could also benefit from engagement with the probation services and possibly anger management. 

Judge Cody said it was the third time the woman had been “back here fighting with neighbours.” 

He said she “seems to have a complete inability to mind her own business.” He said in the latest incident she had approached a neighbour “ostensibly because her tax was out one month” and “she clearly invaded her personal space and attacked her on the side of the road.” 

Judge Cody said the woman had been twice before the court previously over offending involving headbutting and producing a hurl. “She hasn’t learned her lesson,” he said.

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He imposed a six month sentence for criminal damage but suspended the final three months. He imposed a two month concurrent prison sentence for engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour and fixed recognisance in case of appeal. 

The woman appealed the prison sentence before the sitting of Portlaoise District Court had concluded.