Woman jailed for '˜chilling' glass assault on barman

Derry Magistrate’s Court heard that Denise Mary Quigley smashed two glasses off the barman’s face during the assault.

The 39-year-old, of Dove Gardens, pleaded guilty to common assault, disorderly behaviour and assaulting police.

The charges relate to incidents in the Dungloe Bar and Waterloo Street.

Quigley and her son were in the Dungloe Bar when they were approached by staff who asked them to keep the noise down.

They refused and became abusive towards bar staff.

The court was told they were escorted off the premises.

As Quigley was led out onto Waterloo Street, she began pinching the barman.

She also use her knee to hit him several times.

A second staff member came out of the bar to assist his colleague and they returned to the premises.

The court was told Quigley went back into the bar a short time later.

She ‘calmly’ walked towards the bar, picked up a pint glass and smashed it against the side of the injured party’s face.

Quigley lifted a second glass and hit the barman with this.

The defendant was restrained and removed from the bar.

Police were called and when officers arrived Quigley began to verbally abuse them.

She shouted ‘UVF scum’ at the police and became aggressive.

Quigley was arrested and as she was led towards a police vehicle she lunged towards an officer.

The court was told she was physically restrained before head butting one officer and kicking out at another.

Defence counsel Nicki Rountree said her client was ‘extremely lucky’ not to be facing more serious offences.

She said the defendant was a ‘very troubled individual’ and was ‘battling mental health issues’ at the time.

Ms Rountree told the court on this day Quigley was out watching horse racing in memory of her father.

She added her ‘grief, alcohol consumption, prescription medication and mental health problems led to very serious consequences’.

Jailing Quigley, District Judge Barney McElholm said the assault was ‘chilling’ and it was a ‘deliberate, pre-meditated attack with a weapon’.

He said this ‘can only be met with an immediate custodial sentence’.