Assaulting a garda is not acceptable – mother told
By Brendan Grehan
A SINGLE mum from Kilnamanagh who assaulted a female Garda has been warned that she will go to jail for three months if she does not have “a glowing restorative justice report”.
Judge Gerard Jones in Blanchardstown Court told Tania Felloni: “I want a golden restorative justice report. Assaulting a garda is not acceptable. I don’t care if you study in Trinity or wherever. I will send you to the Dochas Centre for three months.”
The Trinity College student assaulted a female garda at Clondalkin Garda Station
The court heard that Felloni was studying in Trinity at the moment and raising two children.
Felloni, aged 29, with an address at Parkhill Lawn, Kilnamanagh, Tallaght, had previously pleaded guilty to breaching the peace and failing to comply with a garda’s directions at Orchard Lane, Clondalkin, on November 11, 2018.
She also had pleaded guilty to assaulting a female Garda at Clondakin Garda station also on the above date.
Felloni was before Judge Jones for a restorative justice report.
The facts had not been heard in the case.
Sergeant Maria Callaghan told Judge Jones that at 2.55am on the above date. Felloni had been outside Clondalkin Garda station. She said Felloni was asked to leave the area by the gardai.
Sgt Callaghan said Felloni told the Gardai : “F**k the Garda. I say rats, you say garda. F**k you, you pr**ks.” . She said Felloni was then arrested and she assaulted the female Garda as she was being put in her cell.
She said Felloni had no previous convictions.
Felloni’s solicitor, Matthew Kenny, said the victim impact statement was in court.
He described the assault as “unfortunate”.
He added: “ It started out as a row over a taxi and and it then escalated.
He said Felloni had later called to Clondalkin Garda Station to apologise to the prosecuting garda.
Mr Kenny said: “My client is a single mother with two children. She had a very difficult childhood. She was raised in foster care as her parents were not able to care for her. Her foster father is in court. She has managed to start studying in Trinity College Dublin where she is now a student”.
Judge Jones said it was unacceptable to assault a garda.
He told Felloni : “I have a good mind to send you to the Dochas Centre for three months. I want a glowing report on the next date.”
He remanded Felloni on continuing bail to a date in September for a restorative justice report and for sentencing.
