Derry Judge warns court will not tolerate offences against social workers

District Judge Barney McElhom has said that the court will not tolerate offences against people such as social workers who dedicate themselves to helping improve the lives of others.

He was speaking as he jailed a woman, Danielle Sweeney-Lawlor (33) of Sheelin Park in Derry who was charged with, on August 30 last year, assaulting two social workers who had come to her house to check on her children.

The social workers found Sweeney-Lawlor to be intoxicated while the children were in her care and had answered the door in an aggressive manner, punching them in the head and breaking one of their phones.

The following day, when interviewed by police, Sweeney-Lawlor claimed that she had been anxious at the thought of having her children taken away but claimed that she hadn't been drinking.

Upon being told of an empty bottle of vodka being found at the scene, she admitted to having had 'a few' drinks.

Sweeney-Lawlor was also charged with, on November 17 last year, assaulting police after they found her to be heavily intoxicated, in breach of her bail conditions.

While in police custody, she was said to be 'highly volatile', kicking an officer and grabbing them by the throat.

Defence Barrister Stephen Chapman said that Sweeney-Lawlor has pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, telling police she was 'mortified' by her actions.

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He added that she had a 'spate of offences' from 2014-2016 but had not reoffended until 2024, telling the court that her 'inability to abstain from alcohol' was the root of her problems.

District Judge Barney McElhom said that he had 'nothing but respect' for those who enter professions of a vocational nature and who deal with human suffering, trying to help children and families in need.

Sweeney-Lawlor was sentenced to ten months in custody and ordered to pay £1245 in  compensation for the damaged mobile phone.

She was also given a restraining order against the injured parties for five years.