Teenage girl appeals sentence for attacks

A 16-year-old girl who attacked two care workers looking after her at a HSE residential facility in Cork yesterday appealed against a three-month sentence of detention.

The teenager was sentenced to two concurrent three-month sentences for assaulting a male and a female care worker at the facility on May 16, 2013.

Judge David Riordan noted at Cork Circuit Appeals Court yesterday that the teenager had been remanded in detention for a total of one month and three days while these charges were being prosecuted.

Judge Riordan noted from reports on the appellant that she was a fine person when she stayed away from alcohol and other substances.

State solicitor Frank Nyhan said in response to a question by the judge: “This is more a case of ongoing care than any sanction.”

The judge said: “It will be a matter for her to take whatever assistance she can in dealing with life.”

The judge suspended the three months in the expectation that the HSE and the probation service would act hand in hand in the matter.

The appellant, now aged 17, is living at home with her mother.