Woman who said she was going to self harm sentenced for wasting police time

Philomena Curran (47) of Glenabbey Crescent in Derry was charged with the offence after she said she was going to self harm on May 18, 2025.

Police arrived later in the night and found Curran in bed, where she appeared irate at being woken up.

Curran then lifted a number of objects, telling police that she was suicidal.

She refused to go to the hospital, saying that she didn't want to spend the night there as she had work in the morning.

She was subsequently arrested for wasting police time.

Defence solicitor Jack Quigley said that the offence was accepted and asked for credit for Curran's guilty plea.

He offered 'an explanation rather than an excuse', telling the court that she has previously been diagnosed with learning difficulties but hadn't committed any similar offences since January 2020.

District Judge Conor Heaney told Curran that it is 'a significant offences' to call the police for a false report, and that 'the court takes it seriously'.

She was sentenced her to three months in custody, suspended for eighteen months.