Woman with 460 criminal convictions jailed

A woman with 460 criminal convictions has been jailed for 15 months after she pleaded guilty to attacking a garda who had come to her assistance.

Dublin District Court heard yesterday that Jennifer Armstrong (39), who is of no fixed abode, tore clumps of hair from the head of a female officer who tried to help her back to her feet when she was found lying drunk on the ground.

The repeat offender, who has chronic addiction problems, had already pleaded guilty to a litany of petty public order and theft charges and a pre-sentence probation report had been sought for her hearing.

Armstrong, who had a history of failing to turn up to court, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing harm to Garda Éimear Cantwell at the North Circular Road on November 27th last. She also pleaded guilty to being intoxicated to such an extent she was a danger to herself and others in Temple Bar on May 27th.