A shop assistant who knocked a woman to the ground, pulled her hair and kicked her before asking her why she wasn't fighting back is to carry out community service if she is to avoid a four-month prison sentence.

Before Galway District Court this week was Janice O'Brien, a native of Cloononkeen, Taughmaconnell, Ballinasloe, who pleaded guilty to assaulting a woman at a car park at Glassan, Ballybane, Galway at lunchtime on 23 June last year.

Inspector Ernie White said the accused was working in a nearby shop when she saw her victim walking through the car park. She knew the woman and followed her, calling her name. When the woman turned around, O'Brien pushed her to the ground, pulled her hair and kicked her legs. She pulled the victim's hair again and scratched her face and neck before asking the victim why she wasn't fighting back.

The inspector said O'Brien then left the scene and the victim went to the Garda Station and made a complaint. Gardaí called to the shop where O'Brien was working that day and she admitted assaulting the other woman.

Defence solicitor, Olivia Traynor conceded this had been a vicious attack which took place in broad daylight, but she said there was "history" between the women through two men they both knew and the trouble had stemmed from that. She said O'Brien was working in a shop when she saw the other woman walking through the car park at 1 pm.

Judge Mary Fahy said the attack occurred at lunchtime in an area frequented by students. She said the assault was at the "upper end" of the spectrum. She adjourned the matter to 26 May next for the preparation of a Community Service Report by the Probation Service who will assess O'Brien's suitability to carry out community service. The judge directed that if O'Brien is deemed a suitable candidate, she is to carry out 140 hours of community service in lieu of a four-month prison sentence.

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