Woman gets suspended term for assaulting gardaí

A Limerick woman bit one garda and slammed a patrol car door into another, injuring both, when being arrested, a court heard.

Sarah O’Donnell, 24, of Clarina Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, pleaded guilty yesterday at Limerick District Court to assaulting Garda Eric Barry and Garda Mick Dunne when they were investigating the theft of a camera and mobile phone last July.

O’Donnell admitted assaulting the gardaí and stealing the camera, valued €100, and the phone,valued €600.

Insp Luke Conlon said both gardaí met O’Donnell at Hyde Rd the day after the thefts. As they tried to arrest her, she slammed the patrol car door into Garda Dunne’s hand and then bit Garda Barry on the arm.

O’Donnell was out on bail at the time.

Judge O’Kelly sentenced her to five months, consecutive to a four-month sentence she is currently serving, for the theft offences and to a total of six months, suspended, for assaulting the gardaí.