A woman who "lunged" at a bank security manager with a Taser and punched another in the head during an operation to repossess her home has been taken into custody after refusing to sign a bond to keep the peace while under a suspended sentence.
Lisa Temple, aged 56, with an address in Gann Road, Carlingford, Co Louth, was convicted last month of two counts of assault under Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act and possession of an article - a Taser - capable of inflicting harm on 30 March 2022 at Sir Ivor Mall, The Chase, Brewery Road, Leopardstown, Co Dublin.
At a sentence hearing today, Ms Temple was removed from the court for a time by order of the judge after interrupting her barrister a number of times and objecting to the hearing going ahead.
After she was removed from the court, Sergeant Keith Arkins told prosecuting counsel Diana Stewart that on the date of the offence a dispute arose as the men had attended to take possession of the property and Ms Temple had punched one of the men with a closed fist to the side of his head and had "lunged" at the other man with a Taser, making contact with his midriff.
The court was told the Taser made contact with the man's jacket and a "crackle" was heard.
Ms Stewart said a Taser with a nine-volt battery was later found.
The court was told neither of the men suffered any injury and they had declined to make victim impact statements.
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Senior Counsel Gareth Baker told the court the case involved an "emotionally charged, long-standing family dispute".
He said Ms Temple, who had represented herself during her trial last month, had not been in any trouble before or since the event which took place four years ago.
He said the two victims suffered no injuries and did not require medical assistance.
He said Ms Temple had admitted possession of the article described as a Taser and said she had acquired it from a third party because she may have to defend herself.
Judge Martin Nolan said despite her "disgraceful behaviour" during the trial and at today's sentence hearing, she did not deserve a custodial sentence.
He imposed a one-year suspended sentence in relation to possession of the Taser and took the other charges into consideration.
The judge said he would impose the suspended sentence on condition that she enter into a bond to keep the peace.
However, Ms Temple said she would not enter the bond because to do so would be entering into a contract and admitting she was a criminal.
She said she was not a criminal and had never "accepted" her arrest.
She said she was not legally represented during the trial and her home, job and money had all been taken from her.
Despite family members and supporters urging her to enter the bond and receive the suspended sentence, Ms Temple said she could not consent to enter the bond and told them "you can visit me in prison".
The judge said if Ms Temple changes her mind at any stage and is willing to enter the bond she can return to court at any stage.
He told Ms Temple that entering a bond to be of good behaviour was a requirement for a suspended sentence.
