During a hearing this week, Annette Brennan informed Portlaoise District Court she now wished to represent herself.
However, the pensioner doctor, who has been granted legal aid, agreed to be assigned a new solicitor after Judge Nicola Andrews said they would be able to provide her with legal advice.
Annette Brennan, with an address at Graigueaverne House, Ballybrittas, Co. Laois, appeared before the court for sentencing on Tuesday.
Brennan had initially faced two charges arising from an incident that occurred outside the Gandon Inn in Cappakeel on December 4, 2021.
She was charged with an assault on Richard Robinson contrary to Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.
She also faced a second charge that at the same place, on the same date, she did use or engage in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace or being reckless as to whether a breach of the peace might have been occasioned.
This charge was contrary to section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994 as amended by Section 22 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 2008.
Her now former solicitor Philip Meagher had succeeded previously in having the DPP drop the assault charge after Brennan agreed to plead guilty to the section 6 public order charge.
On Tuesday Mr Meagher advised the court that there was also a separate unrelated count of a section 2 assault against his client on the list but said his client wished to represent herself in that matter.
This separate charge related to an alleged assault on Shane Costello at Lake Road Ballybrittas on February 3, 2023.
Judge Andrews told Mr Meagher the cases would take their place on the list after prosecuting counsel said she was ready to proceed.
But when the cases were called again a short time later, Mr Meagher informed the court that, in the interim, his client had dispensed with his services in all matters.
“You want to represent yourself?” Judge Andrews then asked the pensioner.
“I am representing myself,” she responded.
Judge Andrews then asked the pensioner, whose case has now been before the courts on numerous occasions, whether she wished to have another solicitor assigned to her in order that she might take legal advice.
“They can represent you,” she said.
“These are serious charges before the court.”
The judge then said she would assign solicitor Josephine FitzPatrick to take on Brennan’s case.
But Ms FitzPatrick told Judge Andrews she had already acted for Brennan on a separate matter.
Judge Andrews subsequently assigned solicitor Barry Fitzgerald to the case and adjourned the case for mention to June 24.
She said Brennan would not be required to attend that day as the case is for mention only.
She said she could see Brennan’s mobility was affected and would therefore be excused from attendance.
“I very much appreciate it,” Brennan responded.