A 43-year-old woman who allegedly told a congregation in a Navan church that she had a bomb strapped to her appeared in court today (Thursday). Joanna O’Driscoll of Clusker Park, Navan was charged with engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace at St Mary’s Church, Trimgate Street, Navan on 21st March last.
The accused appeared unrepresented at Trim District Court. She pleaded guilty. Solicitor Maurice Regan was assigned to her defence and he told the court that his client was awaiting an appointment at the Cuan Mhuire addiction treatment centre.
Details of the offence were not outlined to the court. However, videos taken by members of the congregation at a Confirmation ceremony and circulated on social media showed the woman taking the microphone on the altar and stating that she had a bomb strapped to her. The court was told that she had eight previous convictions dating back to 2014. Judge Ciaran Liddy imposed a fine of €100.
