A COURT heard how a Garda who went to assist a County Limerick woman who was self-harming was spat at and had blood flung at him.
Judge Patricia Harney heard that Elizabeth Bulman (32) of Race, Old Pallas, “put her hand down her pants and then flicked blood” at the Garda who arrived at her home in answer to an emergency call on March 3 last.
Kilmallock District Court heard Garda evidence that Ms Bulman then spat at the Garda and kicked out at him. The Garda was wearing a face mask at the time, the court was told.
Ms Bulman pleaded guilty to two charges of assault on the Garda.
Judge Harney was told that Ms Bulman has 46 previous convictions, mostly for Public Order Offences but also for theft, assault, and failing to appear in court to answer charges.
Her solicitor told the court that his client “has psychiatric issues”.
“She says he has no memory of the events. She mixed alcohol with her prescribed medication.”
He asked that the matter be put back to see that Ms Bulman would not come to Garda notice again.
But Judge Harney said that there “needs to be more involvement. She would benefit from a probation report.”
The Judge said she had listened to pleas for sentencing to be simply adjourned but “there are 46 previous convictions and the Gardaí have to pick up the pieces”.
She adjourned the case until May 26 for the preparation of a probation report.
