Echo seller abused by intoxicated woman

An Echo-seller who was operating from his pitch outside the GPO in Cork was verbally abused by an intoxicated young woman who would not leave him alone.

Now at Cork District Court, 24-year-old Ilarija Alexsandrove of no fixed address has been jailed for three months for that and other offences.

Sergeant Pat Lyons said the incident occurred on August 1 at Oliver Plunkett Street.

“A man selling the Evening Echo [ The Echo] said a woman was causing annoyance and when he asked her to leave she was highly abusive,” Sgt Lyons said.

Sgt Lyons testified that the young woman was calling him a “c***” and other terms.

Ms Alexsandrove admitted being drunk and a danger and being abusive, but said she would not have used some of the insulting terms that were alleged.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said Ms Alexsandrove was arrested on October 12 and did not apply for bail.

She has been in Limerick prison since then and appeared in court by video link from prison.

“She had been homeless throughout August, September, and October, resulting from heroin addiction. She had been treated for a lengthy period for her addiction but she relapsed and was not allowed to live at home when she was on drugs.

“After a short time in custody, she is looking better and she is thinking better.”

Judge Joanne Carroll said the man selling  The Echo was entitled to go about his work and earn his living and did not deserve to be harassed. The judge asked the young woman via the video link what she was interested in doing in the future. She replied that she just wanted to get her life together.

Judge Carroll said the accused is a good-looking young woman and might be interested in working in hair and beauty or fitness training or in whatever area of work that might interest her when she completes her short period in prison.

The sentence also covers two other offences, namely the theft of two bottles of spirits at Dunnes in Merchants Quay after 4pm on February 23, and handling stolen clothes that had been taken from Elvery Sports on Oliver Plunkett Street on October 10.