Court gives teenager opportunity for public order case to be struck out - Donegal News

18 year old woman avoids conviction in Letterkenny court

A JUDGE has given an 18-year-old woman the chance to avoid a conviction after public order offences at Letterkenny University Hospital, telling her she was “old enough not to be behaving like this.”

Judge Emile Daly offered the young woman a chance to have the matter struck out if she makes a €50 charitable donation to White Oaks within two weeks.

Judge Daly told the accused. “I am giving you an opportunity not to get into trouble again.”

The woman, who was under 18 at the time of the offences, appeared before Letterkenny District Court on Monday, charged with public order incidents from October 2025.

Garda Sergeant Maurice Doyle outlined that on October 8, 2025, Gardaí responded to a call at Letterkenny University Hospital at 1.46am, where the accused was shouting and being abusive to security guards.

When approached, she was highly intoxicated and attempted to leave before being arrested and taken to Letterkenny Garda Station.

On October 14, 2025, she was found in an intoxicated state on Lower Main Street, Letterkenny, stumbling and slurring her words. She was arrested for her own safety.

Her solicitor, Mr Jason Laverty, told the court his client had been going through a difficult period. He said she had completed school and added that these were her first experiences of that level of intoxication.

He said that she had no previous convictions and had apologised to the hospital and Gardaí.

A default order was set for a conviction and fine of €250, with two months to pay, in the event that the charitable donation to Whiteoaks is not made.

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