A woman who knocked a Garda’s notebook from his hand and who kicked out as she resisted arrest only became aware of her behaviour when she viewed CCTV of the incident.
21-year-old Yvonne McHugh, of Upper Tullagh, Carrigart, was before this week’s sitting of Letterkenny District Court.
On October 3, 2015, Gardai were called to the scene of a disturbance at Voodoo nightclub, Main Street, Letterkenny.
The Court heard that what was described as a ‘large, hostile crowd’ surrounded security staff.
Garda Gallagher was arresting a male, the then boyfriend of McHugh, when she obstructed the officers.
Additional Garda assistance was called to the area.
McHugh made an attempt to ‘grab’ Garda Gallagher. refused to give her name to Garda Molloy and knocked his notebook out of his hand.
“She resisted arrest by kicking out and she was told to desist, but kept acting aggressively,” Inspector Barry Doyle told the Court.
McHugh, who was accompanied in court by her mother, went through a ‘traumatic number of years’, said her solicitor, Patsy Gallagher.
“She didn’t realise how drunk she was until she saw the DVD,” Mr Gallagher said.
“She came into the periphery here when Gardai were in the process of arresting a male.
“She is a young lady who was extremely intoxicated. She is now in a different relationship, she is expecting her first child, she works part-time and is a full-time student.
“She has apologised profusely for this and is very embarrassed.”
Judge Paul Kelly said McHugh had ‘every opportunity’ to offer a plea.
“Gardai found themselves in a very difficult position with people baying for blood,” Judge Kelly said.
“She was swinging at one Garda, tried to grab another and knocked a notebook out of another’s hand. She was central to this.”
McHugh was ordered to pay €500 to Little Angles.