Female duo charged over early morning fight in housing estate

Two women have appeared in court accused of assaulting each other during an ill-tempered row in a housing estate last year.

Teresa McDermott (49) of 7 Newtown Lawns, Mullingar, Westmeath, and Kelly Starr (38), of 4 Chestnut Close, Royal Canal, Mullingar, Westmeath were before Mullingar District Court last week to face assault charges arising from an incident on September 4, 2024.

During a jurisdiction hearing to determine whether the case could remain in the District Court or be passed on to the Circuit Court, Sgt Sheila Kenny said the incident took place at around 9am.

Sgt Kenny said the prosecution will state that Ms Starr saw a woman approaching her apartment as she glanced out her window. The door of Ms Starr’s home was open, as it was a humid morning. She said it will be alleged that Ms McDermott arrived at the door “roaring and shouting” before squaring up to Ms Starr.

The court heard that as Ms Starr attempted to put distance between herself and Ms McDermott, the latter delivered a “headbutt of sorts” by pushing her face into her opposite number’s face, hitting her under the eye in the process. Sgt Kenny said Ms Starr required no medical attention.

Details of a counter allegation made by Ms McDermott were also outlined in court. Judge Bernadette Owens was told how it will be alleged that Ms Starr grabbed Ms McDermott by the hair with her two hands and pulled her towards the ground.

Sgt Kenny said the state will also contend that Ms Starr punched her in the mouth and above the eye.

The garda court presenter said that, like her co-accused, Ms McDermott did not require medical treatment despite suffering from neck pain as a consequence of being pulled downwards.

No pleas, or indications as to how the pair intend meeting their section 3 assault charges, were entered.

Both women, who stood beside their respective legal representatives, were told by Judge Owens of how the matters outlined were, at this stage, allegations: “All I am doing at this point is making a decision is whether these are matters that can remain in this court or should go up to a higher court,” she told both women.

The court also learned that the disclosure of all relevant state evidence in connection to the case had been furnished to both defence teams.

Diarmuid Quinn for Ms McDermott said he had spoken to Sgt Kenny prior to last Thursday’s proceedings as he hinted that a peace bond “could be explored” by the court.

Andrea Callan, BL for Ms Starr, said that was the first time such a scenario had been raised, and it would require further discussion with her client.

Judge Owens said that would be thrashed out at this stage as she adjourned the case for two months.

Both women were remanded on bail to reappear at Mullingar District Court on May 22.