Courts / Dublin / Report
Woman believed she was pregnant with "devil's baby" during drug-induced hallucinations
Summary
Christina Joyce, 28, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to three counts of threatening gardaí with blood‑filled syringes at Cedar House hostel on 26 November and 5 December 2013. She claimed she was pregnant with the devil's baby and that her life was in danger, stating she was experiencing drug‑induced hallucinations. Gardaí attempted to calm her by repeating the "Our Father" prayer and pepper spray was used on both occasions. The judge, Patricia Ryan, noted the aggravating factor that the offences were committed against officers acting in the course of duty and the impact on them. Taking into account Joyce's remorse and her early recovery, Ryan imposed a three‑year sentence, suspended on strict conditions. The case was heard at the early stages of her rehabilitation, with no further garda attention reported since February 2016.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Woman believed she was pregnant with "devil's baby" during drug-induced hallucinations. Charges or matters: three counts of making threats to injure gardai with a syringe at Cedar House on November 26 and December 5, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 26 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 5, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- November 2015 Other
- February 2016 Other
- 2017-01-27 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: three counts of making threats to injure gardai with a syringe at Cedar House on November 26 and December 5, 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Ryan imposed a three year sentence which she suspended on strict conditions. Sgt O'Grady agreed with Pieter Le Vert BL, defending, that Joyce had previously received a two-year sentence for similar offences in 2014.
Places mentioned
- Cedar House
- Marlborough Place
- Marlborough Street
- Dublin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- brought to Store Street garda station
- Store Street
Topics
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