Drunken woman was in state of undress

A BANBRIDGE mother of two who played a drinking game during a club's happy hour, was later found in a drunken stupor, in a state of undress, the local court was told last week.

Leanne Dunlop, a 29-year-old unemployed woman, from Old Bleach Green, had to be arrested for her own safety after police became concerned about her ability to look after herself in the early hours of 5 September.

She had been ejected from a local nightclub, the court was told, in a highly intoxicated state. She was shouting and slurring her words, and the top of her dress was around her abdomen.

Dunlop was arrested for being simple drunk and became extremely abusive on the way to the police station, forcing officers to physically restrain her.

The court heard that on the night in question, police officers tried to contact her friends and family, but to no avail.

Solicitor, Mr Paul Downey, referred to his client's previous record and said all court appearances were drink related.

"She has absolutely no record of what took place on the evening in question," he said.

Mr Downey said this particular charge was one of simple drunk and a "slight distraction" from her previous offending.

However, District Judge Mr Paul Copeland reminded the solicitor that Dunlop was "in violation of a conditional discharge."

Mr Downey said, "She is a mother of two small children. She went to a nightclub with friends and it was happy hour. She got into a game where you had to take spirits in one mouthful and has no recollection of the events."

Mr Copeland enquired as to the ages of Dunlop's children and was told they are aged two and four.

He said, "Her conduct and record give this court considerable cause for concern.

"I am particularly concerned that she is otherwise a supposedly responsible mother - but her record indicates a history of this type of bother.

"This was a disgraceful spectacle that besmirches cities and towns where young women, worse for drink, behave in an outrageous and disgraceful way."

Addressing Dunlop, Mr Copeland warned, "The time is coming that you will have some explaining to do to these infants at home if you end up in Maghaberry. I want you to take that on board."

He added, "If you appear here again you could end up in jail. I am reluctant to deprive your young family of any limited income."

Dunlop was conditionally discharged for 12 months, with a warning from the District Judge, "You need to think long and hard before you participate in happy hours again."

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