Woman who made 'nasty' comments to gardai in Letterkenny found with cocaine

A young woman who abused Gardai and was found in possession of cocaine has been told she should thank Gardai that she will not have a criminal record.

Lauren Kerr appeared at a special siting of Letterkenny District Court on Saturday night.

The 24-year-old was arrested by Gardai at the O'Donnell Park Campsite at Ballymacool in Letterkenny at 4.40pm on Saturday.

Ms Kerr was intoxicated and shouting at members of the public.

When Gardai arrived at the scene she called them "c****' and was arrested.

While being processed at Letterkenny Garda Station, two small bags of a white powder which Gardai believed to be cocaine were found on Ms Kerr.

Garda Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that the drugs had a nominal value of €30.

He also said that Ms Kerr had been very apologetic afterwards.

She appeared in court charged under the Public Order Act and possession of drugs.

Ms Kerr, of Market Hill Road in Armagh, has no previous convictions.

Her solicitor, Mr Patsy Gallagher, pointed out his client to Judge Ciaran Liddy, saying she was "the terrified-looking young woman."

Mr Gallagher said his client was in town for the rally with a number of friends and that her actions had been compounded by alcohol.

He said she is currently finishing off a placement with an organisation and that she has never been in trouble before.

He asked the court if it would consider a donation to a charity and to leave Ms Kerr without a criminal record.

Judge Ciaran Liddy addressed Ms Kerr and condemned her "nasty comments" to Garda who were simply doing their job.

He added that she should be thankful to her solicitor and to Gardai for suggesting the course of action they had suggested.

Judge Liddy ordered Kerr to make a donation of €250 to the Letterkenny Tidy Towns Association.