Drunk Laois woman at Offaly hospital could not stand unaided, court hears

Twenty-eight-year-old who admitted offence at Tullamore Hospital had 62 previous convictions

Published 2nd Oct 2026, 14:00 BST Laois woman appeared at Tullamore District Court | Tribune Pictures Twenty-eight-year-old who admitted offence at Tullamore Hospital had 62 previous convictions A WOMAN who admitted public drunkenness at Tullamore Hospital was fined €200 at the local District Court.

Judge Andrew Cody was told that Chantelle O'Brien (28), Churchfield Heights, Castletown, Co Laois was intoxicated and unable to stand unaided at the Midland Regional Hospital on September 5.

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Sergeant Brendan Kearns said Ms O'Brien had 62 previous convictions and 21 of them for were public drunkenness and 16 were for engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour.

Sergeant Kearns added that the woman had been sentenced to three months in prison on March 30 last for theft.

'Incinerator' proposed for site near Offaly county town In addition, Ms O'Brien was subject to the terms of a three-month sentence dating from November 2024 which had been suspended for two years at Portlaoise District Court.

Brian Duffy, the solicitor who appeared for Ms O'Brien at Tullamore District Court, said she was a married woman with no children who was in receipt of a disability payment of €252 per week.

“She should not go near alcohol,” said Mr Duffy, adding that she could not remember too much about the incident at the hospital.

Ms O'Brien's husband was in prison, the solicitor said. Legal aid was granted to Ms O'Brien.

Judge Cody imposed a €200 fine for the offence at Tullamore Hospital and remanded Ms O'Brien to appear in court again when the question of the suspended sentence will be considered.