A young woman charged with a public order offence at Letterkenny University Hospital has been given a chance to avoid a conviction.
The woman, who is now 18, was charged with two offences that occurred when she was under 18.
She appeared before Letterkenny District Court charged with offences that occurred in October 2025.
Garda Sergeant Maurice Doyle outlined the case in court.
Gardai responded to a call at 1.46am on October 8, 2025. The accused as found shouting and being abusive to security guards at the hospital.
When the defendant was approached by Gardai, she was highly intoxicated and attempted to flee. However, she was arrested and conveyed to Letterkenny Garda Station.
On another occasion, she was found in an intoxicated state at Lower Main Street, Letterkenny. Sergeant Doyle said that she was stumbling and slurring her words. He said she was arrested for her own safety.
Mr Jason Laverty, the woman’s solicitor, said his client was suffering due to a bereavement at the time.
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He said she has completed school and was “in a bad patch”.
“This was her first experience of this level of inebriation,” Mr Laverty said. “These two offences occurred within a week of each other. She has no previous convictions and has conveyed an apology.”
The defendant was put in the witness box and told Judge Emile that she hopes to start a course later in the year.
Judge Daly said that the court didn’t want to impose a conviction as it would add to her going forward.
She gave the woman a chance to make a charitable donation of €50 to White Oaks. If the donation is paid, the matter will be struck out.
“The reason I am doing that is that I really don’t want to see you back in court,” Judge Daly told the accused. “I am giving you an opportunity not to get into trouble again. You are old enough not to be behaving like this.”