Woman jailed after dragging Cork shop assistant around by her hair

A shop assistant intervened when a 28-year-old woman got aggressive with customers but ended up being punched in the face and dragged around the premises by her hair.

Garda Anita O’Rourke charged Emma Wallace of Cork Simon Community with assaulting the shop assistant.

At Cork District Court, the defendant pleaded guilty to assault, and Judge Mary Dorgan imposed a five-month jail sentence on her.

Solicitor Frank Buttimer said of the accused: “She expresses her remorse and apologises for this. It happened in the course of addiction difficulties. She accepts she is going to be in custody for the near future.”

Sergeant John Kelleher outlined details of the assault at Cork District Court: “On November 10, 2025, the accused entered EA Mart at 118 St Patrick Street, Cork, at approximately 9.40pm. She started to act aggressively towards customers in the shop.

“The shop assistant, Elia, approached Emma Wallace asking her to leave the shop. The accused then used a closed fist and struck the injured party, connecting with the right temple. She then grabbed the injured party by her hair and dragged her around the shop.

“A customer intervened and Emma Wallace left the shop. The assault is captured on CCTV. Garda O’Rourke viewed the CCTV and the accused was clearly identified on it. The injured party did not receive any visible injuries, but stated she was in pain for a number of days.”