Woman claimed father had Covid and coughed at police officers

Grainne Elizabeth Cullen (31), of Burnvale Crescent, Cookstown, was also alleged to have grabbed a police baton and struck an officer on the leg during the incident.

Cullen faces a total of ten charges arising out of an incident at a property in the Ratheen area of the town on May 26.

She is accused of five counts of attempted grievous bodily harm of police officers; two of assaulting officers; one of assaulting a female; damaging a PSNI vehicle and a lamp.

A police officer at Dungannon Magistrates Court last Wednesday told District Judge Eamon King that she believed she could connect the defendant to the charges.

Opposing bail, an investigating officer said at 8pm police were tasked to Ratheen Avenue where they found the partner of the injured party separating her from Cullen who had “poked her in the face and bent her arm”.

She said police made the defendant aware of the Covid-19 regulations and Cullen told them her father and brother had Covid-19 and she had a cough.

The officer said police made several attempts to approach her and she coughed in their direction, assaulting a number of them while being arrested.

Continuing, the officer alleged the accused coughed again at police while being conveyed in the cell van.

She said Cullen later told police that she had been drinking Frosty Jacks earlier in the day and that it was her uncle who had Covid-19 not her father and brother.

The officer said police were opposed to bail as Cullen was currently on bail on other matters having been arrested three weeks ago.

Applying for bail, a defence lawyer told the court that Cullen was “very drunk” and “deeply regrets what happened”.

He pointed out that the injured party lived in Ardboe and, if granted bail, the defendant would be residing at her home address in Cookstown some 20-25 minutes away.

The lawyer stressed the injured party has not made a statement to police.

He said she was prepared to accept strict bail conditions including tagging, curfew and no alcohol.

“She has a long standing drink problem and is going through help with that,” he added.

Granting bail of £250, District Judge King ordered Cullen to reside at Burnvale Crescent; observe a 10pm to 8am curfew; submit to a breath test when requested by the police; stay out of Ratheen Avenue; have no contact with the injured party, and abide by the Covid-19 regulations. He adjourned the case until June 24.