Women got into dispute in Castlebar Courthouse foyer
The incident occurred in the foyer of Castlebar Courthouse.
Two women who caused a disturbance at Castlebar Courthouse will be assessed for community service.
Ellie McDonagh, aged 27, of 1 Western Pride Cottages, Creagh Rd, Ballinrobe and Maggie McDonagh, aged 20, of Lenansillagh, Glenisland, Castlebar both pleaded guilty at the local district court to a public order breach.
The court heard that Gda Katie Conlon was on duty at Castlebar Courthouse on February 7, 2023, when she heard shouting in the foyer. She went to investigate and found Ellie and Maggie McDonagh in a verbal altercation along with other individuals.
Gda Conlon directed them to desist from their behaviour and they eventually left the foyer but continued to shout directly outside the courthouse. Ellie McDonagh has 14 previous convictions, while Maggie McDonagh has none.
Solicitor for both women, Gary Mulchrone, said they regretted their behaviour and accepted it was "out of order". Maggie McDonagh is a niece of Ellie McDonagh's ex-partner and there had been tension between the pair, but the situation has resolved itself.
Judge Fiona Lydon directed Ellie McDonagh, a mother of two, to undertake 40 hours of community service in lieu of one month in jail. She ordered Maggie McDonagh to donate €500 to the Garda Colm Horkan Memorial Fund.
