Woman who turned her back on judge sentenced to three months in prison

A woman turned her back on Judge Andrew Cody as she entered Tullamore district court room when she appeared at last Wednesday's sitting.

Klaudia Zwolinska (23) of no fixed abode, was arrested on February 7 and charged with public order offences.

In his evidence, Sergeant Richard Thornton said he had been dealing with a passport query at the front desk of Tullamore Garda Station when Ms Zwolinska enterd the public office. He said she was very intoxicated. She had been living rough, he said. She became very abusive and Sergeant Thornton told her to desist but she told him to F...k off. She had taken some substance, he said.

Ms Zwolinksa had 9 previous convictions including assault, criminal damage and public order offences. On December 14, 2022 she was fined €500.

Ms Zwolinska failed to appear at the morning session of last Wednesday's court and Judge Andrew Cody issued a bench warrant for her arrest. When she arrived into the court room in the afternoon she turned her back on Judge Cody who told her she had been convicted in her absence. Then turning to the right but still refusing to look at the judge she said she wasn't guilty. Judge Cody told her she was facing prison and had told Gardai to F...k off.

Mr Zwolinska continued to say she wasn't guilty. Judge Cody imposed a sentence of three months in prison.