Woman to be sentenced after admitting sending menacing messages to Tusla worker
The Wicklow PeopleA Wicklow woman who intended to rely on mental health issues at trial has instead pleaded guilty to sending a menacing message to a Tusla employee.
Catherine Byrne (49), of Saint Patricks Square, Bray, appeared at a sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court charged with sending a menacing message by telephone contrary to Section 13(1) of the Post Office (Amendment) Act,1951 as substituted by Part 2 of the Communications Regulations (Amendment) Act, 2007.
Barrister for Ms Byrne, Edmund Sweetman, instructed by McNeice of Maguire McNeice Solicitors, told the court that the matter had been listed for trial, with a psychiatric report being obtained to assess her capacity and allow the defence to consider an application under Section 5 of the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act.
He added that while Ms Byrne had not yet been assessed by a psychiatrist, she wished to enter a guilty plea as she could not wait for the assessment due to the stress it would cause.
Ms Byrne was arraigned, with the court hearing that in July 2019, at a place unknown within the State, she sent a menacing message to an employee of the Child and Family Agency (Tusla).
The court was told that the defence intends to raise psychiatric issues in mitigation.
Counsel for the prosecution, James Kelly, informed the court that the defendant has previous convictions for similar offending and for the production of an article during the course of a dispute.
Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin remarked that a probation report was not necessary, as it would likely recommend that Ms Byrne engage with mental health services and would only delay sentencing.
Ms Byrne was remanded to appear before Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court in July for sentencing.