A mother of seven and her eldest son have been jailed for 14 days after what was described as 'complete mayhem' broke out at Kilrush District Court.
The disturbance occurred in the court foyer shortly before midday, and saw uniformed Gardaí rush from the court after raised voices were heard.
Gardaí later gave evidence that 44-year-old Susan O'Sullivan of Moore Street, Kilrush, kicked and scraped at a Garda and pulled off his hat outside court.
Her solicitor, Patrick Moylan, said Mrs O’Sullivan, who was accompanying her 18 year old son Patrick Whynne out of court after he secured bail on other matters, "saw (him) being arrested and reacted" and that she apologised.
Gardaí agreed her behaviour was "out of character" but Judge Patrick Durcan said Mr. Whynne – also of Moore Street, Kilrush – had started the behaviour and "it led to complete mayhem"
Both pleaded guilty to a public order offence arising out of the incident, and were sentenced to 14 days imprisonment by Judge Durcan who said that people who show "disrespect towards Gardaí… are going to have the full forces and pressures of the law."
He also refused a request from Mr. Moylan to suspend the jail terms.
