public intoxication Woman with 259 previous convictions was 'unable to stand up' when arrested

A woman who was too drunk to stand when gardaí found her on a city street had been drinking a "huge amount of alcohol" to deal with a previous drug problem, a court heard.

Winnie Joyce (36) was given the benefit of the Probation Act at Dublin District Court when she was found guilty of public intoxication.

Joyce, of no fixed address, had pleaded not guilty but did not appear in court for the hearing of her case.

A garda said in evidence he was on beat patrol on Henry Street at 10.45am on June 8 when he found Joyce in an extremely intoxicated state.

Arrested

She was holding a bottle of vodka, smelled of alcohol and was unable to stand. She was arrested for her own safety.

Judge Bryan Smyth found the facts of the case proven.

The court heard the accused had 259 previous convictions for crimes including public order offences.

Joyce was "cross addicted" and had been drinking a "huge amount" to deal with what was a drug problem, her solicitor John Feaheny said.

Joyce was from a family that had had "brushes with the law." The accused was living from "hostel to hostel" and had a long road ahead of her, the court heard.

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