Woman who disrupted Navan confirmation service fined

A 43 year-old woman from the town admitted a public order offence arising from an incident at a Navan church last month where she allegedly claimed she had a bomb.

Joanna O’Driscoll from Clusker Park, Navan was charged with engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace at Saint Mary’s Church, Trimgate Street on March 21 last.

The incident occurred shortly before 1pm while Bishop of Meath Dr Tom Deenihan was confirming children from four local national schools but was swiftly dealt with and the ceremony proceeded unhindered.

Several witnesses reported that a woman made her way up to the microphone on the altar and asked to speak before proceeding to claim that she had a bomb strapped to her.

A priest and a number of other people, believed to be teachers, quickly approached the woman to intervene and escorted her from the altar.

Video footage purportedly taken at the Confirmation ceremony appeared on social media showing a woman take the microphone on the altar and state that she had a bomb strapped to her.

The defendant told Judge Ciaran Liddy she didn’t have a solicitor, and was pleading guilty.

The Judge assigned Maurice Regan, solicitor, to represent her.

Mr Regan said the defendant was going to Cuan Mhuire for treatment. Ms O’Driscoll apologised to the court.

Court Presenter, Sergeant Declan Brady told that the defendant had eight convictions which were historic, dating back to 2014.

Judge Liddy convicted and fined the defendant €100, allowing her six months to pay the fine.

- Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme