Woman with wine bottle in Cork city centre taunted passersby

A 44-year-old woman carrying an empty wine bottle in Cork city centre was trying to start fights with passersby and she became abusive to gardaí.

Mandy Cotter, of no fixed address, appeared at Cork District Court, where she pleaded guilty to being so intoxicated that she was a danger to herself or others and engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour.

Sergeant Dave Delea outlined the background to the incident, which occurred around 10pm on November 15, 2024. “Gardaí encountered a woman on Oliver Plunkett St screaming aloud. Members of the public stated that the woman was trying to start fights with random people. She was very intoxicated and there was a strong smell of alcohol from her.

“The defendant became abusive to gardaí, calling them ‘c**ts’. She was carrying an empty wine bottle at the time,” Sgt Delea said.

The sergeant said Ms Cotter had 68 previous convictions, including 14 for being drunk and a danger and 13 for engaging in threatening behaviour.

Defence solicitor, Eddie Burke, said: “She is abstinent now, hoping to go into Tiglin treatment centre. She is a 44-year-old single woman with seven children. She is actively trying to deal with her addiction. She is on disability.”

Judge Philip O’Leary said: “I take it she is extremely apologetic to An Garda Síochána.”

Mr Burke replied: “Absolutely.”

Judge O’Leary said he was taking in to consideration the seriousness of the incident and her poor history of public-order matters, but he also acknowledged her efforts to rehabilitate and he imposed a nominal fine of €100 for the threatening behaviour and took the drunkenness charge in to consideration.