Woman avoids prison after serious assault on Letterkenny Garda

A woman who assaulted a Garda in Letterkenny has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Vivienne Johnston was convicted of the assault on Garda Shane Walsh when she appeared at Letterkenny District Court.

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham, in handing Johnston an eight-month suspended sentence, said the assault was at the upper end of the scale.

Johnston was charged with a number of offences arising out of the incident on April 10, 2022 at Lower Main Street, Letterkenny.

The 32-year-old, with an address at Crievesmith Park, Letterkenny, was charged with assault causing harm to Garda Shane Walsh.

The charge is contrary to section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.

Johnston was charged with wilfully obstructing a peace officer acting in the execution of his duty, a charge contrary to section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994.

She was further charged with failing to comply with the direction of a Garda, a charge contrary to section 8 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1984, as amended by section 22 of the Criminal Justice (Intoxicating Liquor) Act, 2008.

Johnston was also charged with being intoxicated in a public place and with using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour in a public place, charges contrary to the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1984.

Johnston was represented by solicitor Mr Patsy Gallagher.

Judge Cunningham said the offence of assault causing harm to Garda Walsh were at the “upper end” and she sentenced Johnston to eight months in prison. The sentence was fully suspended for a period of two years on condition that Johnston enter into a bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for a period of two years.

The other charges were parked as taken into consideration by Judge Cunningham.