‘Very alarming’: Woman slapped in the face for refusing to give money on Limerick street

A MOTHER of seven has appeared in court accused of slapping another woman in the face after she refused to give her money when approached in the city centre.

Limerick District Court has heard the incident happened at O' Connell Street on August 2, 2024. 

Outlining the alleged facts, Sergeant Denis Waters said Jessica Moloney "approached a woman asking her for money and when she declined, she slapped her in the face.”

When asked by Judge Patricia Harney, he confirmed the alleged injured party was a "stranger" and has no connection to Ms Moloney. 

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The 33-year-old defendant, who has an address in the Garryowen area, is also charged with assaulting a second woman on that same day and with stealing a slushie worth €3 from a retail premises in the city - also on the same day.  

Solicitor Sarah Ryan, said Moloney was off her medication at the time of the incident and that she has since “stabilised” and is "doing very very well at the moment".

The defendant, who has 39 previous convictions, is also before the courts for separate theft matters.

The court heard that she has seven children, addiction issues and a psychiatric disorder. She also has no recollection of what happened. 

While noting she is currently engaging with the Probation Service, Judge Harney said: “If all this continues she will end up in prison” and that she is a woman of “a certain age”. 

Judge Harney further commented: “The fact that she has 39 previous convictions is very, very alarming.”

Moloney’s case has been adjourned until January.