By Ronan Judge

A mother and daughter have pleaded guilty to their roles in a violent public order incident at a Galway shopping centre last Christmas.

Bridget McDonagh (47) and Brianna McDonagh (21) were part a group of five females who engaged in verbal insults and “pulling and dragging” at Dunnes Stores, Terryland, on December 22, 2024, Galway District Court heard.

Sergeant Damien Prendergast told the court a video of the row, which took place in the drapery section in front of shocked Christmas shoppers, was uploaded to social media and “gained a lot of attention”.

Bridget and Brianna McDonagh, both with an address at 5 Rory O’Connor Road, The Glebe, Tuam, each pleaded guilty to affray contrary to section 16 of the Public Order Act.

Sgt Prendergast said the row broke out at around 5.50pm and involved “verbals, pulling and dragging”.

Bridget McDonagh has five previous convictions and Brianna has none, the court as told.

Defence solicitor Michael Cunningham said that on the day of the incident, his clients were in Dunnes Stores for Christmas shopping when they met cousins of Bridget McDonagh.

The court heard the family don’t get on and words were exchanged that led to a physical confrontation between all parties.

A number of other people are also due before the court, the court was told.

Mr Cunningham he wished to stress that the recording subsequently posted to social media, was not made or by his clients or the other people allegedly involved.

Mr Cunningham said both his clients accepted their behaviour was “abhorrent”, were deeply embarrassed, apologetic and accepted things got out of hand and their behaviour was “out of order”.

However, he said he could not underestimate the impact the widely shared video of the row had on his clients, especially Brianna McDonagh.

He said the video “compounded” the embarrassment and had an “undeniable effect” on both women.

The court was told Brianna McDonagh works in the charity sector and Mr Cunningham said his client was fearful of the impact a conviction could have on her plans to become a special needs assistant.

Judge Adrian Harris said thankfully he was not in Dunnes Stores when the incident occurred and had not seen the video.

He said this was “appalling behaviour at a time of the year when we are supposed to be charitable and friendly to others and this was anything but”.

In the case of Brianna McDonagh and noting her good record, Judge Harris sought a “significant” contribution of €750 to St Vincent de Paul and adjourned the case to March 23.

Judge Harris directed a probation report for Bridget McDonagh and adjourned the case to February 3.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.