Woman who hit former friend after verbal row was in the middle of breakdown, court hears
A mother of two who assaulted a former friend during a verbal argument and then had a knife in the street a week later was in the middle of a breakdown, a court heard.
These incidents were the “last straw” for Denise Doyle (34) who checked herself into a rehabilitation centre shortly afterwards, and spent the next four months receiving treatment.
Judge Shalom Binchy ordered a probation report and community service report and adjourned sentencing to next February.
The defendant, with an address at Bremore Castle in Balbriggan, admitted assaulting a woman on August 30, 2024, and possession of a knife on September 2, 2024.
In relation to the assault, Garda Peter Gallagher told Swords District Court that Doyle pushed and kicked the injured party, who did not suffer any injuries.
The second incident occurred outside Doyle’s home, the court heard. Gda Gallagher said the accused and the injured party were in dispute, and she had seen a knife protruding from Doyle’s clothing.
Gda Gallagher said gardaí were going door-to-door in the estate, when they came across Doyle standing in the middle of the street.
Doyle was later found with two knives, one of which was 5cm long, while the second was 15cm long.
The court heard that Doyle had no previous convictions.
The victim did not wish to make a victim-impact statement, the court heard.
Defence solicitor Fiona D’Arcy said Doyle and the assault victim had been friends, but the pair had a falling out.
Ms D’Arcy said they got into a verbal argument, and it escalated to Doyle hitting the woman.
On the knife possession charge, Ms D’Arcy said Doyle had been cutting an apple at home, and had foolishly come out onto the street with the knife. Ms D’Arcy also said Doyle was in a “very bad way” at the time of these offences.
One week after the second incident she suffered a breakdown, and she spent four months in the Ashlin Centre, in the grounds of Beaumont Hospital.
Ms D’Arcy asked the judge to be as lenient as possible, saying Doyle was now on antidepressants and methadone, and was doing much better.
Her partner was in court to support her, the solicitor added.