A 33-year-old woman has been placed on probation and fined after drunkenly telling gardaí to “f**k off and die” outside McDonald’s.
Aisling Cunningham, with an address at Rory O’Connor Park, Abbey Road, Kill O’Grange, Dublin, pleaded guilty to intoxication in a public place and using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour at McDonald’s on Georges Street Upper, Dún Laoghaire, on August 2, 2024.
Dún Laoghaire District Court heard that Cunningham was highly intoxicated and causing annoyance to staff and customers when gardaí were called to the restaurant.
When approached by gardaí, she directed abusive remarks towards them, telling them to “f**k off and die”, the court heard. She was then arrested and brought to Dún Laoghaire Garda Station.
The court heard Cunningham has 20 previous convictions, including those for theft and fraud, criminal damage and public order matters.
Defence solicitor, Patricia Camilon, told the court that her client had struggled with addiction issues but was now engaging with drug treatment services.
Ms Camilon said that Cunningham previously had a heroin addiction but is currently on a methadone programme and is linking in with the DROP rehabilitation programme, which supports people seeking to move away from drug misuse and develop life and personal skills.
She told Judge Conor Fottrell that at the time of the offence, Cunningham was drinking heavily and was also in an abusive relationship. However, since then her client had given birth to a baby daughter in December and was determined to turn her life around.
The court heard that Cunningham hopes to enter the Coolmine residential treatment programme and that she wants to be present in her daughter’s life and become a good role model for her. The defendant apologised for her behaviour.
Judge Fottrell told Cunningham that directing such remarks at gardaí was “not acceptable”, noting that officers were carrying out their duties.
However, he acknowledged her guilty plea, the difficulties she had experienced and the change in her circumstances since the offence.
Judge Fottrell placed Cunningham on a probation bond for 12 months and imposed a fine of €100.
As part of the probation order, she must not take illegal drugs and must continue engaging with addiction support services.
Cunningham thanked the judge after the order was made.