Warrenpoint woman threw rock over fence of ethnic minority neighbours
The court heard how whilst being escorted to custody Leniham would make an unsolicited comment to police of "those horrible Muslims"
ENAGING in a course of harassement against her ethnic minority neighbours has resulted in a Warrenpoint woman receiving a four month custodial sentence during a sitting of Newry Magistrates.
Appearing before the court via videolink from custody was Edelle Lenihan of Fairview Warrenpoint who faced a charge of harassment and common assault. The court heard how on the evening of July 17 of this year police responded to a report of a hate crime which had been committed.
The reporting party, understood to be a member of an ethnic minority family living in Warrenpoint explained how their neighbour the defendant Lenihan had from June 20 to July 17 of this year engaged in a course of conduct which amounted to harassment against them and their family.
This included Leniham telling the family that "they are taking over the country" and culminated in the defendant throwing a large rock over the family fence on July 17 with the injured party believing that it was the intention on the part of Leniham for this rock to hit her.
The court also heard how whilst being escorted to custody Leniham would make an unsolicited comment to police of "those horrible Muslims"
Addressing the court defence counsel explained that Lenihan was a woman who had issues with alcohol and that she had already spent three months in custody as a result of the offence that took place on July 17 having not been able to acquire a suitable bail address."
She has no criminal record, is 58 years of age and has been in custody for three months. She could not get a bail address because she was living close to the family. Her sister has supported her and says she suffers from alcohol issues and is trying to get her into Sister . Consilio's .
She has returned to Warrenpoint from England following a 30 year period away. I would ask for credit for the guilty plea."
Addressing Lenihan directly District Judge Natasha Fitzsimons would describe the Warrenpoint woman's appearance before Newry Magistrates at her age as disappointing." It is disappointing that you come before the court at your age for the course of conduct against your neighbours which is aggravated by racial hostility. It will be four months in custody on both matters with a £25 offender levy."