An Ennis mother of five assaulted another woman after having “the misfortune” of walking in on the woman and her husband in bed together, a court has heard.

At Ennis District Court, solicitor, Daragh Hassett for Julie Mongans said “there was significant provocation” when Ms Mongans assaulted Charlene Keenan on February 22nd of this year at Treacy’s West County Hotel in Ennis.

In the assault, Garda Sebastian Pychynski said that at Treacy’s West County Hotel, Ms Mongans clawed at Ms Keenan’s garment in the breast area and pulled it down, exposing her breast.

Garda Pychynski said that the injured party did not sustain any physical injuries.

Ms Mongans (31) of Dun na hInse, Lahinch Rd, Ennis has pleaded guilty to the assault of Charlene Keenan contrary to Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act on February 22nd at Treacy’s West County Hotel.

Mr Hassett told Judge Alec Gabbett said that there was context to the assault and said that on a separate date a short time prior to February 22nd this year, Ms Mongans “had the misfortune to walk in on this lady and her own husband in bed together”.

Mr Hassett said that Ms Keenan “was having an affair with Ms Mongans’s husband”.

Garda Pychynski confirmed that is what Ms Mongans told him also.

Mr Hassett said that it wasn’t a case where Ms Mongans heard about the affair and it was rather that “she walked in and caught them in the act. It was quite distressing”.

Judge Alec Gabbett remarked: “A woman scorned.”

Mr Hassett said that the assault at the hotel “shouldn’t have happened but that is the bare facts of it”.

Mr Hassett said that Ms Mongans can’t promote the usual defences to assault that it never happened or it was in self defence.

He said that however, that there was significant provocation “and she regrets what she did and it was a spur of the moment decision”.

Mr Hassett said that Ms Mongans is a lone parent due to the circumstances outlined to the court.

He said: “Ms Mongans has turned things around for herself – this is a blip.”

Mr Hassett said: “The court would be concerned about this behaviour and that is the end of it. Ms Mongans has stayed away from this lady since. She has not met her or sought to meet her and has had no contact with her.”

Ms Mongans told the court that she had her 5th baby in January of this year. Mr Hassett said: “The children are doing well and the children of school going age are going to school.”

In court, Ms Keenan told Garda Pychynski that she would like to make a victim impact statement after Judge Gabbett asked the Garda to canvas the matter with her.

Garda Pychynski said that Ms Mongans has 24 previous convictions and one included a suspended two month prison term imposed in January of this year.

Garda Pychynski said that the offence before the court in January is connected to the assault case against Ms Mongans.

Judge Gabbett said that he would adjourn the case to December 17th for the victim impact statement and said “if the lady gives me an A4 sheet on how this has affected her and I can consider that in terms of sentencing”.

After the case concluded outside Ennis courthouse Gardai had to intervene as supporters of Ms Mongans and Ms Keenan accompanying Ms Mongans Ms Keenan away from court exchanged words as they left the building.