Cork woman accused of screaming at gardaí has charges struck out

A 48-year-old woman accused of calling a member of An Garda Síochána a ‘fat faggot’ had public order charges struck out today, having been in custody since August 21 unable to raise €100 bail.

At her first court appearance before Judge Brendan O’Reilly at a remand sitting of Cork District Court during August there was no garda objection to bail. However, the judge imposed a €300 bond, of which €100 had to be lodged in court.

Rosemarie Howick of Castleview, Kilbrittain, County Cork, was effectively released from custody today when Judge Mary Dorgan struck out the charges.

Sergeant John Dineen outlined the background to the allegations in the case against her on charges of being intoxicated and a danger and engaging in threatening or abusive words or behaviour.

“At 5.30am on August 21 gardaí responded to a call about a female causing annoyance at North Main Street Cork. On arrival, gardaí found a female who was unsteady on her feet.

“Gardaí stopped and spoke to Rosemarie Howick who was slurring her words and was unsteady on her feet.

“She began to shout at gardaí in a threatening and abusive manner, screaming, ‘Go f*** yourself you fat faggot’ numerous times towards gardaí,” Sgt Dineen said.

At this stage of the evidence, Ms Howick spoke up by video link from prison and said she was representing herself and wanted a copy of CCTV from North Main Street from the relevant time.

Judge Dorgan said that in light of the fact that the accused had already been in custody since August 21 on the two public order charges it was appropriate to strike out both matters and explained to the defendant that this was the end of the case.