Homeless woman arrested at Garda Station in the Midlands

A woman admitted being drunk and abusive in the public office of Portlaoise Garda Station. 

Katarzyna Tkaczyk, 27, of No Fixed Abode was arrested at the station on March 5 last. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant attended at the public office of the station and had to be arrested as she was intoxicated and aggressive on the date in question. He said she has five previous convictions with the most recent dating from January 26 when she received a suspended sentence. 

“Five weeks later she is back?” asked Judge Andrew  Cody. 

“I think she presented because she was homeless,” said Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald.

“Clearly the gardai have better things to do and they are not the housing department,” he remarked. 

He said she has since found accommodation in Portlaoise and is doing better. 

Judge Cody imposed a six month sentence which he suspended for two years. He referred the previous suspended sentence back to Portlaoise District Court on May 4.