A female individual by the name of Chantelle Duffy, resident of Parkview Terrace, Wellington Road, Cork, has been subjected to a 10-month prison term following a seemingly random attack on a senior woman using a wheelchair. This assault, characterised as a ‘sitting duck’ attack, involved Duffy slapping the elderly lady in the face in full public view.
In a court hearing conducted via video link at Cork District Court, Duffy pleaded guilty to the assault charge. Judge Mary Dorgan presented Duffy, aged 26, with images of the battered face of her victim, a sight Duffy admitted was a horrific consequence of her actions.
Expressing her sincere remorse over her behaviour during the assault that took place in Cork city centre on 4th April, Duffy concurred that her attack was both severe and entirely unprovoked. It’s worth noting that this is not her first brush with the law, as Duffy’s record includes 33 prior convictions, one of which was also for assault.
Her legal counsel, Frank Buttimer, informed the court that his client was undergoing a psychotic episode during the attack on the elderly woman on Winthrop Street, therefore, her recollection is hazy. He added that while her psychiatric state may explain her actions, it doesn’t exonerate her in any way. He also mentioned her struggles with addiction and shared an update about her progress in prison.
Judge Dorgan found it tough to match Duffy’s demeaning behaviour with the person presenting herself through the video link. She described the assault as a shocking ordeal where an elderly woman navigating her wheelchair with her carer was suddenly struck in the face, which resulted in bruises across her nose and face. She empathised that these circumstances must have been extremely challenging for the victim.
Without question, the victim was indeed scared and distressed. Moreover, consider the individual, whose duty was to escort this lady into the Old Oak, her place of employment, for a midday sandwich. How pleasant could that be? And yet, an individual suffering from mental health issues comes and disrupts that peace.
Judge Dorgan sentenced Ms Duffy to a 10-month jail term. In order to avoid repeated scenarios as such, the judge strongly recommended that the defendant resolve her drug addiction issues. Additionally, the judge stated that the consumption of illicit substances can heighten the complications for individuals like Duffy who are grappling with mental health problems.