Carlow woman admits to assaulting a woman, pulling out "clumps of hair" in Portlaoise gym

A suspended sentence was handed down to a woman who carried out a sustained attack on another woman in a Portlaoise gym. 

Amy Williamson, 42, of 14 The Green, Chapelstown Gate, Tullow Road, Carlow admitted assaulting a woman at Ben Dunne Gym, Lismard Business Park, Portlaoise on November 14  last year. She also admitted theft of a gold chain valued at €100 arising from the same incident. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said there had been an issue between her client and the victim prior to the assault. She said the assault at the gym “got totally out of hand” and had arisen from an issue the woman had with the victim. 

“The accused has previously been treated for mental health issues,” she said. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said her client was heavily in debt and unable to provide compensation. 

She said the woman was a hairdresser and had suffered a broken back which meant she could only work part time. 

“This was a sustained attack over nine minutes,” said Judge Andrew Cody. 

“The injured party was pulled to the ground and punched,” he said. 

Judge Cody said “clumps of her hair were pulled out of her head” during the assault.  

He sentenced the woman to three months but suspended the sentence for two years.