Derry woman jailed for 'utterly appalling' attack on pregnant woman

A woman has been jailed at Derry Magistrate's Court today for among other charges assaulting a pregnant woman and kicking her in the stomach.

Megan Callaghan (36) of Clon Dara in Derry was being sentenced for what a judge described as 'a plethora of offences' including the assault, driving offences and theft charges as well as resisting and assault on police. 

The assault on the pregnant woman occurred on October 10 2023 when the defendant approached the woman in the street punched her in the face and tried to knee her in the stomach.

The woman also claimed that Callaghan kicked her in the stomach. 

The court heard that the woman's baby was born 7 weeks premature and District Judge Ted Magill said that 'while it couldn't be said the premature birth was due to the assault it could not be ruled out.'

Callaghan also admitted a series of theft charges that occurred in 2023 and 2024.

The court was also told that on a number of occasions Callaghan resisted police and assaulted a number of them.

On one occasion on May 20 2024 Callaghan had to be restrained and was placed in a cell. 

Police went to remove the restraints and as soon as they did Callaghan became aggressive again and grabbed an officer so she had to restrained again. 

Callaghan also spat at police after asking for water.

Defence counsel Sinead Rogan said that Callaghan had 'got herself clean' while in prison and was still seeking assistance. 

Judge Magill said this was 'a difficult sentencing exercise' and added that he couldn't 'ignore these offences just because someone had got clean'.

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He described the attack on the pregnant woman as 'utterly appalling' and sentenced Callaghan to a total of six months in prison. 

He also imposed a Restraining Order on her for a period of two years and disqualified her from driving for two years.