Naas Court hears how sisters attack sisters in a row about a man

Two sisters pleaded guilty to assaulting two other sisters in a row that erupted due to a man.

The sisters, who are both single mothers, appeared before Naas District Court.

A 36-year-old sister, with an address in Newbridge, appeared before the court, and a 39-year-old with an address in Portarlington appeared, represented by Matthew Byrne, solicitor.

Both pleaded guilty to assault, at One New Row, Naas, on December 27, 2015.

Mr Byrne said that it is 'misleading' to think that the accused were not also injured and the victim impact statement is 'misleading.'

The court heard how one of the women was called a 'slut' and that an 'altercation' arose where two sisters confronted two other sisters, and one of the injured party's received a hit to the head with the back of a glass.

Evidence was given that the injured party suffered a lump to the head and that there were no lacerations.

Sgt Kelly said that 'people were coherent, there was not a lot of alcohol taken, one of the security men stepped in to stop the fight.'

Defence said that it was 'misleading' in the victim impact statement to say that the two sisters, who were the injured parties, were unable to socialise for months afterwards.

Photographic evidence was shown to the court of the two sisters socialising on New Year's Eve, a short time after the incident at One New Row.

The court heard how the two sisters, who pleaded guilty to assault, had no previous convictions and have not come to the attention of the court since.

In court, both sisters, accused of assault, said that they 'regret what happened'.

Defence said: "There is more than meets the eye here."

Judge Desmond Zaidan ordered that the two sisters pay €1,000 between them towards the injured parties and a further €1,000 each for a childrens' charity, by March 7, next.

He warned that if the sisters don't comply they will be sent forward for sentencing.

Judge Zaidan said: "This could have gone horribly wrong."