'Enjoy your stitches you b***h'.. Woman left scarred after assault with broken glass at Confirmation party

A JUDGE in Trim Circuit Court told the victim of an assault, who was left with a scar on her face and psychological trauma after being hit with a broken glass, that he hopes her injuries will heal with time.

Clorice Allen (23), from Tailteann Drive, Windtown, Navan, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm.

The court heard that on 27th January 2023 at Knightsbrook Hotel, after a Confirmation, there was an altercation between the two parties following comments made by Ms Allen towards Ms Mulhall’s boyfriend at the time.

The accused hit Ms Mulhall with a broken glass, leaving the victim with a laceration on her face, and said “enjoy your stitches you bitch”. A fight began between the two which continued across the hotel as other members of the public present attempted to intervene.

Ms Mulhall was previously in Trim District Court charged with assault against Ms Allen in relation to the same incident. The charge was struck out by Judge Eirinn McKiernan following a hearing.

Ms Allen was brought into custody on 9th July on this charge and was in for sentencing on 22nd October at Trim Circuit Court. The defence told the court while in custody she did numerous courses including an alternative to violence project and understanding of restorative justice course. Ms Allen had €5,000 in court that she was willing to give to the victim as compensation. This was rejected by Ms Mulhall and instead donated to Meath Women's Refuge.

The court heard the psychological report said the accused had limited victim empathy and the probation report said there was a degree of victim blaming.

The court heard Ms Mulhall was left with a scar on her face and both psychological and emotional injuries following the incident. The victim impact statement said she is in a state of “constant hypervigilance” and has lost her vision for the future.

Judge John Martin told the accused “these are all the consequences of your actions” and it was an “utterly unjustified response to the situation”. Ms Allen also received a bruise on her face and tissue damage following the incident.

Clorice Allen received a three year, three months prison sentence, backdated to 9th July, with nine months suspended for 12 months subject to a probation bond. The suspension is on the condition she attends probation meetings and an anger management course and makes no contact with Ms Mulhall or any members of her family.

Judge Martin said he was “sorry” Ms Mulhall had to be here and hoped with time her physical, emotional, and psychological injuries will heal.