Croke Park dalliance woman appears in court

The woman at the centre of the Croke Park "love encounter" turned up in court this morning after a warrant had been issued for…

The woman at the centre of the Croke Park "love encounter" turned up in court this morning after a warrant had been issued for her arrest yesterday.

The warrant for student Ms Sinead Duffy (23) was cancelled after her solicitor apologised and said he may not have impressed strongly enough upon her the need to appear in court yesterday.

Judge James Scally accepted the apology but then expressed further surprise at an application from the gardaí to adjourn the matter again because a letter had been written by the DPP saying Ms Duffy and her boyfriend John Clarke (24) may not have committed any crime by going into Croke Park around 2.00 a.m. on September 7th last.

They had pleaded guilty to trespass after gardaí arrested them in the middle of the pitch. Officers found Ms Duffy in "a state of undress" and Mr Clarke lying beside her.

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It was the night before the All-Ireland hurling final and the gardaí were on protection duty at the stadium. The pair had climbed over the Jones Road gate to gain access.

They were due to appear in court yesterday with €500 each for the Fr Peter McVerry charity and if they money was paid, the judge indicated he would leave them without criminal convictions.

But when told Ms Duffy was not present as she had an appointment to do research work in Waterford, Judge Scally said she was obliged to turn up in court like everyone else who is on bail. He issued a warrant for her arrest and ordered steps be taken to have her bail money forfeited.

Judge Scally today cancelled the warrant and re-instated the bail. He adjourned the case until February 10th when Mr Clarke is also due to appear again.