Cork woman who gave gardaí false name said she was a 'trained mafia killer'

A 51-year-old woman who gave gardaí a false name at the height of a public order incident in Cork city centre also told a garda sergeant that she was a “trained mafia killer”.

Sergeant Aisling Murphy described at Cork District Court the background to the incident at Merchants Quay, Cork, at lunchtime on August 7.

Gardaí followed up on an anonymous complaint about a drunken man and woman arguing in the area.

Sergeant John Burke spoke to Tara Scuffins of Woodlands Grove, Youghal, and a man who was not before the court.

“She was highly intoxicated, slurring her words, unsteady on her feet and having to be supported by the man in her company.

“She was a danger to herself in a public place and provided the name, ‘Mary O’Brien’ and would not provide a date of birth or address.

“Sgt Burke located a temporary release form in her purse with her correct details and she admitted she had lied (and was on release from prison).

“Ms Scuffins then became abusive, stating that she was a ‘trained mafia killer’ and that she would kill Sgt Burke, calling him a bastard.

“She was arrested and conveyed to the Bridewell garda station,” Sgt Murphy said.

The defendant pleaded guilty to charges of giving a false name, being threatening and being drunk and a danger.

Defence solicitor Joseph Cuddigan said Sgt Burke would not have put store in the words being used by Ms Scuffins. He added that the defendant apologised to the sergeant for her behaviour.

“She knows that the sergeant had enough to be doing without that kind of carry-on,” Mr Cuddigan said.

Ms Scuffins had 11 previous convictions for threatening behaviour, and 23 for being drunk and a danger.

Judge Mary Dorgan imposed a five-month suspended sentence on her for giving the false name and took the other charges into consideration.