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Woman, who attacked and pulled clumps of hair from mum travelling with baby on Dublin Bus, avoids jail

Judge Martin Nolan noted that there were “pre-existing tensions” between the two families involved.

college green 635_90535340_90548428 File photo Sam Boal / Rollingnews.ie Sam Boal / Rollingnews.ie / Rollingnews.ie

A YOUNG DUBLIN woman who violently attacked a mother travelling on a Dublin Bus with her baby has avoided a jail sentence.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Emily Stewart (22) pulled clumps of hair from her victim’s head and left her bleeding from facial scratches.

Coolock woman pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Shannon Ryan on a bus outside Connolly Station, Dublin, on 10 March 2017.

The defendant also pleaded guilty to a separate charge of assault causing harm to Sabrina Ryan, the mother of Shannon Ryan, on 12 March 2017, when she bit her finger, punched her and scraped her face.

Today Judge Martin Nolan fully suspended a six-month sentence noting that there were “pre-existing tensions” between the two families.

Garda Daniel Eccles told Elva Duffy BL, prosecuting, that Shannon Ryan got on the 27 bus outside Connolly Station to travel to the city centre with her three-and-a-half month old baby.

Ordered off

The defendant got on at the next stop and ordered Ryan to get off the bus.

The court heard that when Shannon Ryan refused to do this she was “set upon” by the defendant who grabbed her by the hair.

Garda Eccles said Stewart kicked the victim, as she fought back in self defence.

He told Duffy that the victim sustained cuts to her neck, a loss of hair and bruising to her mouth and face.

Two days later the victim’s mother was traveling on the same bus route when Stewart encountered her and began verbally abusing her.

“She dived on her, punched her, leaving her with a black eye, and scraped her face,” Eccles said.

Stewart has three previous convictions for theft.

‘Ashamed and embarrassed’

Emmet Nolan BL, defending, said his client was ashamed and embarrassed despite the fact there was tension between the two families. He said she cooperated fully with gardai and had completed a hairdressing apprenticeship.

The court heard Stewart suffered from mental health issues including anger issues and a borderline personality disorder.

Nolan said Stewart was addicted to illegal drugs at the time of the assaults and was not taking her prescription medication. He said she was remorseful for her actions.

Judge Nolan said it seemed it seemed to him that the defendant attacked the victims in an unprovoked and nasty way.

“It must have been very frightening for them,” he said.

He noted she was taking steps to deal with her problems but said that the fact of the matter were that some of her issues were self-induced.

Judge Nolan ordered her to pay €750 to each victim within one calendar year.

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    Mute wattsed
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 6:55 PM

    If anyone is wondering why socially unacceptable behaviour is rampant, just look at the judicial system. We reap what you sow your Honour.

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    Mute Jun Stone
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 8:14 PM

    @wattsed:very well put!

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    Mute Colman gan
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 9:05 PM

    @wattsed: well said

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    Mute anything anything
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    Jul 24th 2018, 1:49 AM

    @wattsed: I 100% agree with your comment.

    I wonder though, if we don’t agree with a politician for example, we can neglect to vote for them. If a judge is consistantly handing down sentences not worthy, is their a process to get them removed from their position?

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    Mute Thomas Conneely
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 6:47 PM

    Completed a hairdressing apprenticeship… And a course in ironic jobs too.

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    Mute An Observer2
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 7:02 PM

    @Thomas Conneely: ‘Goin anywhere noice on yer holibobs luv?’

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    Mute David Dickson
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 7:10 PM

    @An Observer2: is she a cockney?

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    Mute Brian Scott
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 7:18 PM

    @Thomas Conneely: profession of peace

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    Mute Gisbert Bayertz
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 6:49 PM

    I don’t get it that people like her don’t do time

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    Mute Skeptical
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 7:11 PM

    @Gisbert Bayertz: Let’s put it his way. If you attacked a young woman on a bus you would have been jailed.

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    Mute David Dickson
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 7:11 PM

    @Gisbert Bayertz: neither does she.

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    Mute Frank Dubogovik
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 9:50 PM

    @Skeptical: not necessarily…if you go before Martin Nolan you ” could” get a stiff suspended sentence for violence. Mind you, if you climbed the m50toll and gave the camera a few belts of a hammer you’d be getting 2 and half years ‘porrige’.

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    Jul 24th 2018, 1:43 AM

    @Gisbert Bayertz: I don’t get your grammar.

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    Mute Karen Lord
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 6:56 PM

    I have no doubt in my mind that if I attacked another person on public transport I would be sent to prison. How is it that these people get away with this stuff? Numerous previous convictions. Pre-existing tension as a mitigating factor. It beggars belief.

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    Mute shanekeogh
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 8:13 PM

    @Karen Lord: one you have a drug problem staff from the various rehab services vouch for you in court, its the same Emily that was in the car crash with Kieron Ducie

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    Mute ParSim
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 8:42 PM

    @shanekeogh: Kieron ‘the wolf’ Ducie and Emily ‘the model’ Stewart, a match made in heaven.

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    Mute Dotty Dunleary
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 9:11 PM

    @shanekeogh: She’s also an ex-partner of Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch’s nephew, Alan Hutch…

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    Mute shanekeogh
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 9:17 PM

    @Dotty Dunleary: classy girl

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    Mute Monika Rumpf
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    Jul 24th 2018, 9:58 AM

    @shanekeogh: only 22… nice.

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    Mute Dotty Dunleary
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 6:59 PM

    Judge “Suspended Sentence” Nolan…. As he’s known…!

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    Mute Brian O'Leary
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 6:48 PM

    Animal should be either in the zoo or prison

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    Mute Pixie McMullen
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 6:56 PM

    Judge Nolan said it seemed it seemed to him that the defendant attacked the victims in an unprovoked and nasty way………………………..As he gave her a fully suspended sentence….

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    Mute Skeptical
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 7:12 PM

    @Pixie McMullen: and she had previous, and the mother had a baby with her. DPP should appeal. Any parent, male or female, in custody of a baby is highly vulnerable.

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    Mute Sea Graham
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 7:23 PM

    @Pixie McMullen: nothing Judge Nolan does in handing out laughable sentencing should surprise you

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    Mute Gulliver Foyle
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 9:28 PM

    @Sea Graham: and part of the defence was that Stewart has anger issues, and is prone to violence. The saddest part is that Nolan has a family as well, and they could encounter these psychopaths in their work or private lives, yet somehow he doesn’t see them as a danger to society that need time away to protect everyone else.

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    Mute Ciaran O Shea
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 7:48 PM

    Any chance judge Nolan is due to retire soon?

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    Mute Ian McNally
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 7:21 PM

    Ohh look martin nolan giving out suspended sentences for violent crimes…. Nothing new here

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    Mute John
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 6:50 PM

    That will teach her………

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    Mute Jonathon Carroll
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 7:48 PM

    I knew who the judge was going to be before I even opened the article.

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    Mute Frank Dubogovik
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 9:53 PM

    @Jonathon Carroll: haha….snap…thought the exact same thing!

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    Mute Gareth Cooney
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 7:03 PM

    Scangers at it again

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    Mute Ken Hayden
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 7:05 PM

    @Gareth Cooney: Ahh hear , leave ir out !

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    Mute Skeptical
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 7:15 PM

    @Gareth Cooney: Skangers

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    Mute Ken Hayden
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 7:26 PM

    @Skeptical: Sceptikal

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    Mute Derek Walsh Ⓥ
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 7:42 PM

    Imagine being a career criminal who attacked someone in public, and the utter relief you would feel when you find out that your case will be heard by Judge Martin Nolan.

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    Mute Sarah Connor
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 7:17 PM

    FFS, why would she stop stealing and assaulting people if she just goes to court and then gets no time. Seems like if people come from a tough background they get away with anything because they didnt know any better, and if they come from a privileged background they get away with it because it was a one off and might ruin their lives. No wonder crime rates are going up!

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    Mute Jane
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 6:48 PM

    What a lady!

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    Mute Mack
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 6:58 PM

    There’s a few people in the world I’d love to tear strips off. May as well do it now. Sure 750quid is nothing. It’ll be well worth it

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    Mute Jimmy jones
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 7:57 PM

    Take the dole, the free bus pass and the free house off them

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    Mute Damian Kelly
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 8:10 PM

    @Jimmy jones: bit they’re the poor oppressed people that society has bypassed,their poor upbringing blah blah,they can’t be expected to do with being thrown off the gravy train

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    Mute C_O'S
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 8:12 PM

    @Jimmy jones: and don’t forget the free legal aid that they are received down through the years. Time RTE did a documentary on this and gave us some facts and figures on how much F. L. A is handed out to repeated offenders.

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    Mute EillieEs
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 7:38 PM

    Not so sure I’d trust her with a pair of scissors in her hand.

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    Mute John Considine
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 9:31 PM

    She tears out lumps of hair, and in her defense she says she’s doing a hairdressing course… you couldn’t make it up!

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    Mute Bobby Daly
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 7:04 PM

    Judges are told who to jail and who not to. The real problem is a lack of prisons.

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    Mute James O'Brien
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 9:53 PM

    It’s like this. Anyone facing Judge Nolan in court knows they are laughing their way back out the door.

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    Mute Alan Earls
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 9:44 PM

    Has Martin Nolan ever actually sent anyone to jail???

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    Mute Frank Dubogovik
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 9:58 PM

    @Alan Earls: Yes…the poor sod who climbed the m50toll and gave the camera a few belts of a hammer….he got 2.5years….seriously, you couldn’t make this stuff up

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    Mute Wez Moore
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    Jul 24th 2018, 10:42 PM

    @Alan Earls: The guy who imported garlic labelled as onions..

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    Mute Dotty Dunleary
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 9:11 PM

    This one has real pedigree as the ex-partner of Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch’s nephew, Alan Hutch… Lovely!

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    Mute Mark Byrne
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 11:27 PM

    Martin Nolan is not fit for that job!!

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    Mute Philip Cullen
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 8:17 PM

    Gotta love the 27! taking the scurge of Dublin from Northside to Southside!

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    Mute Mack
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 6:58 PM

    There’s a few people in the world I’d love to tear strips off. May as well do it now. Sure 750quid is nothing

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    Mute David Dickson
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 7:15 PM

    @Mack: you are up to 1,500 now. Any more you want to get?

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    Mute Colm Lyons
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 10:17 PM

    Why do I never get judge Nolan?

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    Mute Peter Murphy
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 11:17 PM

    Only in Ireland pity children on the bus who had to watch this and what about the judge as I said only in Ireland

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    Mute Mark Walsh
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 8:49 PM

    Would you leave her anywhere near you with a scissors

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    Mute Éamann Ó Duinn
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    Jul 24th 2018, 8:19 AM

    Judge Nolan seems to have a habit of giving out lenient sentences.

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    Mute Natalie May
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    Jul 24th 2018, 9:16 AM

    Judge Martin Nolan needs to hang up his gavel and his head in shame while he’s at it. This woman essentially committed two seperate attacks in broad daylight, one of which involved a 3 month baby being present. Yet she basically gets off scott free. Humans wont learn from their mistakes if theyre not held accountable. No anger management classes? Whats the bets she doesnt pay either victim a penny either?

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    Mute Grainne Keegan
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    Jul 23rd 2018, 10:20 PM

    Bobby Daly lack of prisons is a problem yet the government paid way over the going rate for land for new prison in the ward. The road is built and traffic lights outside it just waiting for the bricks to go down. And then would need to deal with lack of prison officers to work in it already lack of room and staff to work in prisons that’s why suspended sentences.

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    Mute Natalie May
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    Jul 24th 2018, 9:18 AM

    @Grainne Keegan: we could stop sending people to prison for not paying their tv licence

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    Mute Adrienne Lyons
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    Jul 24th 2018, 8:10 AM

    How did I know it was judge Nolan?

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    Mute Janet Kenny
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    Jul 24th 2018, 12:04 AM

    Bit of a cop out ‘anger issues ‘ being a mental health problem.

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    Mute W Kevin Doyle
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    Jul 24th 2018, 6:59 AM

    The picture of the buses was highly informative. The Independent has a picture of the “model” herself.

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    Mute James O Carroll
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    Jul 24th 2018, 9:30 AM

    its criminals like Emily that give the term “mental illness” very bad stigma. she doesn’t have a mental illness. she knew 100% what she was doing.
    to all the people diagnosed with mental illnesses, don’t let this woman represent you and speak up about your troubles

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    Mute Your Ma
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    Jul 24th 2018, 1:58 AM

    She’s a la-dy… Woah woah woah.. she’s a la-dy!

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    Mute Barra O Brien
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    Jul 24th 2018, 1:13 AM

    Should be extra years for blaming drugs

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    Mute Kath Noonan
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    Jul 24th 2018, 6:25 AM

    She completed a hairdressing course??? Oh well that’s ok then, feel free to attack a woman with a baby. Seriously?????

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    Mute Seán Dillon
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    Jul 24th 2018, 12:47 PM

    “Ashamed and Embarrassed” is that possible after attacking a mother on a public bus? Don’t think these type of people would know what ashamed and embarrassed ment.

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    Mute Jamie Roche
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    Jul 24th 2018, 6:57 AM

    Charlie bit my finger…

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    Mute Michael Ahern
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    Jul 24th 2018, 9:55 PM
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