Mayor says assault ruined her political and business career

By TONY GALVIN TUAM'S Mayor, Cllr Mary Loftus, told the local Court that her political and business career had been ruined as a consequence of a horrendous assault she suffered at the hands of another woman. She told Judge Geoffrey Browne that she was still being treated for the injuries she received in the attack and will have to undergo plastic surgery and further neurological treatment.[private] Mayor Loftus said that her term as Tuam's first citizen had been blighted as a consequence of her injuries, and she had to close her business. She estimated she had lost €100,000 as a direct result of the attack. She made her comments at the conclusion of the case against her assailant, Valerie Fahy of Tubberoe, Kilconly, who pleaded guilty to the assault at the bar Mayor Loftus ran on High Street, Tuam on November 20, 2010. Joan O'Brien solr (defending) said her client was pleading guilty to the assault charge. She had seen the medical reports and photographs of the Mayor's injuries and agreed they were serious. However, by way of mitigation, she pleaded that this was not simply a case of her client meeting the victim on the street and attacking her. The two women had been drinking in the bar and words were exchanged. Mary Loftus, she said, asked her client to leave and things went downhill from there. At the doorway, punches were exchanged and matters escalated from there. She explained that Valerie Fahy suffered from alopecia and wore a wig. During the altercation, she claimed Mary Loftus pulled off her wig and threw it up the street. 'This was why she flipped,' the defence argued. It happened at 4.30 am Joan O'Brien also pointed out that the incident occurred at 4.30 am, 'when obviously the premises should have been closed' and asked why this was the case. Insp Brendan Carroll objected to the defence raising this issue, pointing out that this matter was not before the Court and there was a complaints process if anyone had concerns in this regard. 'Look at the photographs,' Judge Browne said. 'She literally beat the living daylights out of her.' As the defendant was pleading guilty the Court did not go into details of the injuries she suffered. Insp Brendan Carroll gave a brief outline of events. He said following an argument between the two women the injured party fell to the ground and was kicked about the face and other parts of the body by the defendant, receiving the injuries in the medical reports presented to the Judge. Joan O'Brien argued that Mary Loftus had dragged her client out of the bar after an argument and then the pushing and punching began. She pleaded that she should not receive a prison sentence. She was 32 and the mother of two children. She had been working as a home help but had lost her job as a result of this incident and she was unlikely to get another one now. Fahy has suffered many personal traumas throughout her life and her children were no longer with her. 'She has suffered, as has her victim,' the defence pleaded. Judge Browne was told there was little chance of recompense for her victim as she lived on Lone Parent's Allowance. 'I won't put her away,' the Judge said, imposing a conviction and a fine of €250. Mayor addresses Court Following the imposing of the sentence, Mayor Loftus asked to address the Court. She said that the case had been heard without her having been given an opportunity to present her side. She asked the Judge whether, after reviewing the injuries she suffered, he thought a fine of €250 reflected the seriousness of the case. Judge Browne agreed with Mayor Loftus that her injuries were horrendous and she had endured a terrible ordeal, but he explained that it was not his role to adjudicate on such issues. He had a criminal case for assault before him, and a conviction was imposed on a guilty plea. He asked the Mayor what purpose would be served by sending her attacker to prison? He added that he could impose a fine of €10,000 but he doubted the defendant even had the €250 fine he had imposed. The Judge advised the Mayor that she had recourse to the civil court and could make a claim against Valerie Fahy for damages. Mayor Loftus said he didn't want Fahy to go to prison as that would achieve nothing. She explained that she still suffered slurred speech and was on painkillers and needed on-going treatment. 'This was my year as Mayor of Tuam but I can hardly live my life. I lost my chance to be on Galway Co Council and have had to give up my business. Do you think €250 compensates for that? I don't.' The Judge said he didn't know what amount of money would compensate her for what she had suffered. 'Nothing, my life has been totally destroyed. I have lost over €100,000 in the last year. I have to have plastic surgery and attend a neurologist. I have thought about this for over a year, I'm the victim, but that is not reflected in the outcome,' she told him. Judge Brown told her that she was perfectly entitled to speak and what had happened to her was absolutely disgraceful. However, he was dealing with the criminal aspect of the case and advised her that she could pursue a civil remedy in another court. 'I hope things go well for you. It's a tough life out there,' he concluded.[/private]