Woman sentenced to 10 months in prison for attacking wheelchair user in Cork – The Irish Times

A woman was sentenced to ten months in prison for attacking an elderly lady in a wheelchair in the street and punching her in the face.

Chantelle Duffy, of Parkview Terrace, Wellington Road, Cork, appeared before Cork District Court via video link on Friday and pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Judge Mary Dorgan showed Duffy (26) a picture of the injured face of the woman she had “run into”. Ms Duffy told the judge she was sincerely sorry for her behaviour during the incident in Cork city centre on April 4. She admitted what she had done to the victim was “horrific”.

Ms Duffy, who has 33 previous convictions, including one for assault, admitted that this was a serious and completely baseless case.

Her lawyer, Frank Buttimer, said his client was suffering from psychosis when she attacked the woman in Winthrop Street.

“She [Duffy] has a limited memory of the event. It was not something she intended to do intentionally. She lashed out in a psychotic state. This does not justify or excuse her behavior.

“She has an addiction problem. She is doing well in prison and her condition has improved significantly.”

Judge Dorgan said it was difficult to reconcile Duffy's poor behaviour with the behaviour of the person she was dealing with via video link. She said it was a shocking incident.

“This was an elderly lady being pushed along Winthrop Street in her wheelchair by a caregiver. She was hit in the face and suffered bruising on the bridge of her nose and face. It must have been difficult for her.

“There is no doubt that the victim was frightened and distraught. I am also thinking of the person who was pushing the wheelchair and was tasked with bringing this woman to Old Oak. [pub] for a sandwich in the middle of the day. What could be nicer? And then this person who is not in their right mind gives her a slap in the face.”

Judge Dorgan sentenced Ms Duffy to ten months in prison. The judge urged the defendant to address her addiction issues to prevent further incidents of this nature.

She added that illegal drugs exacerbate the condition of people like Duffy who suffer from mental health problems.