A 19-year-old girl who threw a radiator and crockery at her mother during a dispute has been ordered to do 40 hours community service in lieu of a two month prison sentence.
Charlene Phillips pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage at her mother’s house on Lenihan Avenue.
Judge Eugene O’Kelly was told that during an altercation, Ms Phillips threw a radiator and cutlery at her mother. There were no injuries but a complaint was made to gardaí.
Defending solicitor Darach McCarthy said it was an unusual case that arose out of a domestic dispute. Ms Philips had a fraught relationship with her mother and had been in the care of the HSE for a year which included periods in foster care and high dependency support units. She was still living at home and was on the housing list.
When he was told that Ms Phillips was on probation from two courts, Judge O’Kelly said that he was not impressed by her casual attitude in response to the charge.
He ordered her to engage with the Probation Services and adjourned the case until April 9 for compilation of a report on her suitability for undertaking 40 hours community service.
