Posted online: Nov 24th, 2009

A female street drinker who punched a male relative in the face in an attempt to get him to drop charges against her has been jailed for three months.
Rosie Mongan, 21, of no fixed abode was jailed for a further three months for a separate charge of criminal damage.
Derry Magistrates Court heard that Miss Mongan approached the injured party on August 21 last year and “grabbed him by the hair and punched him twice in the face and said ‘drop the charges, drop the charges’”.
Miss Mongan was also found guilty of smashing windows in the Foyleside Shopping Centre on December 3, 2007.
During interview Miss Mongan denied breaking the windows and said it was another woman who was with her at the time.
However, CCTV footage showed both women throwing stones at the eight foot by four foot windows.
Defence solicitor Keith Kyle said: “Miss Mongan is by her own admission as street drinker and lives a very transient lifestyle.
“The criminal damage occurred when she was under the influence.
“The assault and intimidation victim is a family member and she didn’t mean to intimidate them but she accepts that it could have been construed that way.”
Miss Mongan also appeared before Derry Magistrate’s Court on the same day charged with burglary and theft on a date between February 19 and Februray 21.
She is charged along with Joseph Harkin, 47, of Hawkin Street of with entering a dwelling in Aberfoyle Terrace and stealing a digi box and an iron.
Their defence solicitor accepted that there was prima facie case to answer.
When the charges were read out Mr Harkin sniggered and said “I’m sorry your honour”.
He then turned his back on the court and laughed out loud.
District Judge Barney McElholm sentenced Mr Harkin to two weeks in prison for contempt of court.
Miss Mongan and Mr Harkin were returned in custody for their arraignment at the Crown Court on December 3.