Judge imposes fine on woman who was drunk and swimming in river at Cork city quay

Concerns were raised about a 29-year-old woman who was drunk and swimming in the River Lee at 8.30pm near George’s Quay in Cork city, and gardaí ensured that the incident ended safely.

Garda Ronan O’Sullivan testified that the incident occurred at 8.30pm on August 26 at Georges Quay, Cork. Gardaí responded to a welfare check for a woman who was swimming in the river. Another woman walking along the quay at the time had alerted gardaí.

“On arrival, Garda O’Sullivan met Dari MacGabhann, 29, of the Simon Community,” said Garda O’Sullivan.

“Ms MacGabhann was drinking a large bottle of red wine and unsteady and slurring her words. She was sitting on a railing beside the river. She came down from the railing. Ms MacGabhann wanted to go back swimming.

“She was intoxicated to such an extent that she was a danger to herself.”

The defendant was arrested and charged with being intoxicated to such an extent that she was a danger to herself or others.

After the evidence was given, Judge Mary Dorgan double-checked: “She was actually swimming in the river.”

Garda O’Sullivan confirmed that this was the case. Judge Dorgan imposed a €200 fine on the 29-year-old. The judge complimented Garda O’Sullivan for his work in getting the woman down from the railing beside the quay where he had encountered her.