Community service for violent disorder at Louth shop

A 36-year-old woman who initially attempted to act as peacemaker when her then partner became embroiled in a row, was sentenced to 150 hours community service at Dundalk Circuit Court last week, in lieu of an 18 month sentence.

Karen Woods with an address at McCooey Terrace, Clogherhead had been sent forward from the District Court, having entered a signed guilty plea to a charge of violent disorder arising out of the incident at Londis, Castletown Road, Dundalk on July 7th 2022.

Judge Dara Hayes noted the court had previously heard that another individual had grabbed a bottle and swung it at her partner inside the premises “in the middle of the day” when customers were present and the defendant “got involved outside”.

He added it began as an attempt to intervene and described what happened as a significant disturbance of the peace in a public place.

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The court had previously heard Ms Woods had been given suspended sentences of two years and nine months in February last year for having drugs for sale or supply in January 2021.  

Her Defence barrister said when her then partner (one of three co-accused) was shown CCTV footage during his garda interview he had told them “Karen tries to get me to leave the shop there” and “Karen is trying to prevent the situation” and he claimed if she had not “stood between them, them two boys would've been battered”.

Judge Hayes in finalising the case last Wednesday said an assessment by the Probation Service, which was requested by the court, had found her suitable for community service.

Describing the defendant as “the least culpable of the four defendants”, he sentenced her to perform 150 hours of unpaid work in the community within 12 months, in lieu of an 18 month sentence.