Woman sat on fellow prisoner during assault

A Longford woman has received a suspended sentence for her role in an assault on a fellow inmate at the Dochas Centre women's prison in Dublin. Marian Leddy, aged 31, of Barrack Street, Granard, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm to another prisoner on 26 May 2015. The court heard that Leddy held the victim's legs while a co-accused inflicted facial injuries using a broken cup. Judge Petria McDonnell imposed a three-month sentence, suspended in full for twelve months, taking into account Leddy's progress in addressing her heroin addiction and engagement with local support services. The judge noted that Leddy had played a lesser role than her co-accused and caused no direct injuries. The victim sustained minor cuts to her face with no permanent scarring. Leddy, who has 77 previous convictions predominantly for theft, told the court she was committed to turning her life around.