Woman tells Longford court she was called 'a prostitute'

Ciara O’Riordan, 5 Kingston Hall, Harolds Grange Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18 was brought before a sitting of Longford District Court last Tuesday following an incident which occurred less than 24 hours previously.

The 42-year-old was subsequently arrested and charged after gardaí were called to deal with a disturbance at Longford Train Station, Convent Road, Longford.

That culminated in Ms Riordan being arrested and later charged with being intoxicated in a public place contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 and of engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour under Section 6 of the same Act.

She was further charged with failing to comply with the directions of a garda under Section 8 of the Public Order Act.

It’s alleged that on the same date Ms O’Riordan assaulted Sgt Derek Duggan and gardaí Jamie Rosney and John Fitzmaurice under Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.

Garda Rosney gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution, adding the accused made no reply when the charges were put to her.

Judge Hughes was also told the three alleged assault charges would likely result in a file being sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Ms O’Riordan, who sat throughout proceedings, shouted over to the bench when details of her arrest were read out.

“I was called a prostitute, a whore and a slut,” she remonstrated.

“I have bruises all over me and I can barely walk.”

At that stage, Judge Hughes was informed gardaí would be looking to remand Ms O’Riordan in custody for a week as the matter was put back for ‘second calling’.

When it returned before the judge just before lunchtime, Ms O’Riordan was denied bail and remanded in custody.

The case was due to return before Longford District Court on Tuesday.