Teenage Donegal girl gets suspended prison sentence for assaulting three people

A young Buncrana woman has been handed a suspended prison sentence for a “significantly serious” assault on three people last year.

Sarah McMenamin, of 4 Millfield, Buncrana, admitted two assault charges, as well as charges of theft and threatening or abusive behaviour, when she appeared before Buncrana District Court.

The charges followed a violent incident involving the 19-year-old defendant at Park Lane, Buncrana on July 29, 2024.

Judge Eiteain Cunningham queried why she only had one victim impact statement in the case when there were three different injured parties.

Garda Inspector Sean McDaid told the court that some of the victims didn’t wish to make a statement, while Ms McMenamin had no previous convictions.

Defence solicitor Frank Dorrian said two of the injured parties were “collateral damage” in the incident.

He described Ms McMenamin as a “vulnerable and fragile young lady”.

“She is appropriately regretful of everything. It was just a trigger, and she behaved very poorly on this occasion,” Mr Dorrian conceded.

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Judge Cunningham said she would be willing to adjourn sentencing until after the completion of probation and welfare report into Ms McMenamin.

However, Mr Dorrian said the report wouldn’t alter things.

“I don’t think the probation report is going to significantly change your view. You have the facts; you know the situation,” he told the judge.

Judge Cunningham said the court could not condone the defendant’s behaviour.

“It is significantly serious. Whilst I fully appreciate her particular set of circumstances and the triggering nature of that, there are three victims here.”

“And certainly the gravity of that does need to be recognised by the court.”

She convicted Ms McMenamin of assault and sentenced her to five months in prison, suspended for a period of 18 months, on condition of entering into a Section 99 bond to keep the peace.