A MOTHER of four who was acquitted of the manslaughter of her close friend but found guilty of assault causing harm outside the Rotunda Hospital is to be sentenced in July.
Michelle Brannigan (36), Hill Street, Dublin, had pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to unlawfully killing Tracey O’Brien (31), at Parnell Square West on June 25th, 2009.
Last Friday, a jury found Brannigan not guilty of manslaughter but guilty of assault causing harm after four hours of deliberation.
Yesterday, Brannigan was granted bail and released from custody by Judge Tony Hunt for sentencing in July. Maurice Coffey, prosecuting, told the court the death of Ms O’Brien had “nothing to do with the accused”.
Det Sgt Des McTiernan told Mr Coffey bystanders witnessed an assault outside the hospital. Brannigan, who had recently given birth at the hospital, was later arrested. Det Sgt McTiernan said Brannigan had been co-operative and admitted her involvement in the assault. She said she had been informed Ms O’Brien was saying Brannigan’s child had been taken into care, which was not true.
The court heard she had nine previous convictions, and was in custody since April last year due to an objection to bail.
Det Sgt McTiernan told Isobel Kennedy, defending, that some of her children were being looked after by her family and some were in foster care. He said he was not aware that previous to this incident Brannigan had been attacked by a former partner and received 381 stitches as no formal complaint had been made. Ms Kennedy said Brannigan was drug-free bar the 6ml of methadone she was receiving, and has been using her time at the Dóchas Centre constructively.