Enniskillen Magistrates Court
A mother-of-two, who assaulted her partner and hit a policeman in the chest, has been given a probation order.
Enniskillen Magistrates Court was told on Monday that police were called to Trasna Way in Lisnaskea at 2.30am on 29th July to an ongoing domestic incident. When officers arrived at the scene they heard raised voices and entered the property. They found the nine-year-old son of the defendant, Helen McCahery, in a distressed state in the living room. McCahery (37) was found in the kitchen with her partner Stephan Connolly, both of whom police observed were heavily intoxicated. The officers noted that Mr Connolly had sustained injuries above his eyes, was bleeding heavily and had scratches on his arms. Police were told by the defendant’s 21-year-old daughter that McCahery had been the sole aggressor and inflicted the injuries on Mr Connolly. It was also noted that McCahery had a minor cut to her left wrist which she said had been self-inflicted. The court heard that the defendant then went into an upstairs bedroom and threw herself onto her bed. She struck out twice at a police constable, hitting him twice in the chest. McCahery was arrested and taken to Enniskillen Police Station where she admitted to lashing out at Mr Connolly and the policeman. She was charged with two counts of assault.
Defence solicitor Brian Charity told the sentencing hearing that his client had a history of medical and mental issues.
“She lapsed into consuming alcohol and deeply regrets her actions on the night. She and her partner are now reconciled. Unfortunately her young son was present at the time and she has lost her father in the past week, so she is not in the best of form,” Mr Charity added.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan noted that no injuries were sustained by the officer but added: “The court cannot tolerate police being assaulted in the course of their duty”. The judge said he would impose a 12 month probation order and also ordered that McCahery pay £100 compensation to the police constable.
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