Cork woman 'roared and shouted' at another woman in local shop over perceived grievance, court hears

Witness told Mallow District Court accused began shouting at her about a perceived grievance relating to an incident involving accused and witness's daughters at a pub in Buttevant

Judge said he could not say accused physically assaulted the injured party beyond a reasonable doubt, as two witnesses denied the allegation made by injured party. He therefore dismissed the charge of assault causing harm. Picture: Denis Minihane

A Cork woman who “roared and shouted” at another woman and physically prevented her from entering a local shop had “sought confrontation” over a perceived grievance, according to a district court judge.

Inspector Anthony Harrington told Mallow District Court that Sonia Robinson, aged 42, of George Street, Churchtown, Co Cork, was charged with assault causing harm and threatening and abusive behaviour arising from an incident that occurred at Egmont Stores, Churchtown, on July 20, 2023. 

Robinson pleaded guilty to threatening and abusive behaviour, but denied the assault charge.

Witness Fiona Pinfield told the court she arrived at Egmont Stores in Churchtown village at 4.10pm intending to buy some groceries. She told the court a car came behind her as she walked to the store entrance and Sonia Robinson and her then partner Tracy Mullins got out of the car.

Ms Pinfield said Robinson began shouting at her about a perceived grievance relating to an incident involving Robinson and Ms Pinfield’s daughters at a pub in Buttevant. CCTV footage shown to the court showed Robinson repeatedly standing in Ms Pinfield’s way as she tried to enter the shop. 

Ms Pinfield said Robinson told a shop assistant who came to her aid to “fuck off you fat c**t,” and told the shop owner Danielle Kennedy to “fuck off” when she asked the women to leave.

Ms Pinfield said the shop owner ushered her through a gate into her garden to protect her, but Robinson and Mullins followed. Ms Pinfield alleged Robinson then grabbed her by the throat, told her: “I’m going to snap your neck in two,” before pushing her into some bushes, all of which Robinson denied.

Witness Gary Martin, who lives next to the shop, said he came into the garden when he heard the shouting, and saw Robinson “standing over” Ms Pinfield as she lay in the bushes, but did not see any physical contact between the women. 

Tracy Mullins told the court she was present in the garden and said Robinson did not physically assault Ms Pinfield. The other eyewitness and store owner Danielle Kennedy declined to make a statement or give evidence.

Garda Phillip O’Neill said Ms Pinfield had provided photos to the court showing reddening and bruising on her arms and neck. He said when he attended the scene, Ms Pinfield was “visibly shaking”, and he could see “redness” on her neck and arms.

Judge Colm Roberts said Robinson was “deliberately encroaching” on Ms Pinfield to “make her feel fear and intimidation,” and had “sought confrontation” by returning to the shop when she saw Ms Pinfield.

The judge said he could not say Robinson physically assaulted Ms Pinfield beyond a reasonable doubt, as two witnesses denied the allegation made by Ms Pinfield. He said therefore it would be unsafe to convict Robinson of assault causing harm, and dismissed the charge. 

He found the charge of threatening and abusive behaviour proven and adjourned the case to November 11 for completion of a probation report and victim impact statement.

This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme