A MUM of three found drunk on a Bandon street was frothing at the mouth and told gardaí to ‘f*** off’ when gardaí came across her, a court heard.

Sarah Hurley (39) of 8 Ardan, Bandon pleaded guilty at Bandon District Court to using or engaging in threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour and being drunk in a public place.

Sgt Tom Mulcahy told the court that at 8.27pm on October 18th last gardaí in Bandon received a number of calls about a woman lying on the side of the road in a drunken state.

‘When Gda O’Sullivan came upon the accused on Connolly Street she was highly drunk and was frothing in her mouth. She became abusive to the gardaí and told them to f** off,’ said Sgt Mulcahy.

The court heard that this abuse was carried out in the vicinity of members of the pubic who were on the street.

Judge Joanne Carroll was informed that the accused has seven previous convictions including the possession of drugs and the possession of drugs for the purpose of sale or supply.

Defence solicitor Plunkett Taaffe said his client, who currently cares for her father, has had very difficult personal matters over the years.

‘Around the time of this incident she received distressing news and she and another person drank to excess and lost control. She apologies to the gardaí for her behaviour,’ said Mr Taaffe.

He said she has engaged with the probation services before which was of considerable assistance to her.

‘She is more troubled than troubling and doesn’t have drug addictions,’ added Mr Taaffe.

Judge Carroll noted that alcohol is a problem for Ms Hurley.

She sentenced her to two months in prison on the more serious public charge but suspended it for 12 months.

‘She cannot be as disruptive like that to gardaí, it’s completely wrong,’ said the judge.

Judge Carroll also admitted Ms Hurley to enter a probation bond for 12 months on the drunk in public charge and attached conditions including that she must co-operate with the probation services and attend for counseling as advised.