A woman who “viciously assaulted” her partner in a “sustained attack” in front of their child has been fined.
A court heard how police, on attending a hotel in Armagh, found the child in “hysterics” and the defendant, Laura Rooney, with blood on her face.
The 31-year-old, of St James’s Road, Belfast, appeared before Armagh Magistrates’ Court, sitting at Newry, on Tuesday, charged with common assault, being drunk in charge of a child, and disorderly behaviour in a licenced premises.
A further charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm was withdrawn by the prosecution, with Rooney pleading guilty to the remaining charges.
The court was told that police attended a hotel in Armagh in May 2024, following reports from staff about a domestic incident. On arrival they were directed to a hotel room.
Police could hear shouting and when they knocked on the door, Rooney answered and blood was observed on her face and on the wall.
Police entered and found her partner, who had “considerable” blood on his face from his nose and lip. Their daughter was also present and “in hysterics”.
Both parties were visibly intoxicated.
As police entered the room, they witnessed Rooney slap her partner twice, and attempts were made to separate them.
She made admissions that she had assaulted him and the blood on the walls and her face were his. She was arrested.
CCTV footage from the hotel showed Rooney “viciously assault” the victim in a “sustained attack” while their daughter was present. A staff member in the smoking area attempted to remove the child from the incident.
A defence lawyer speaking on Rooney’s behalf, described the case as “unusual and unfortunate”, adding that the victim remains in a relationship with Rooney and made it clear that he didn’t want her to be prosecuted.
He also told the court that the prosecution went ahead because of the CCTV footage, and that Rooney pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.
The court heard that the episode triggered an inquiry from social services who concluded that it was an isolated incident.
The defence added: “There was a grievance that she had about her partner’s conduct… She had a few drinks and reacted totally overboard and out of character and she is not proud in any way of her conduct.”
District Judge Anne Marshall said: “This is a domestic matter so there has to be some penalty, particularly as it all occurred in the presence of your child.”
Addressing Rooney, she said: “No matter what your partner is doing causing annoyance, you cannot resort to physical violence.”
Rooney was handed a total fine of £200, plus a £15 offender levy.
