A media lecturer who stabbed a love rival in the face and neck with a broken wine glass has had an order that she do 240 hours of community service confirmed by Judge Desmond Hogan.
Melanie Adams (42), Idrone Close, Templeogue pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assaulting Ms Caroline O'Hanrahan (40), causing her harm on February 7th, 2002.
Judge Hogan had previously imposed a two-year sentence on Adams but indicated that a 240-hour community service sanction would be imposed in lieu of it if she was found suitable.
He noted that Adams, who teaches film and television at the Ballyfermot College of Higher Education, was remorseful and had shown this by paying €7,000 in compensation to her victim. Adams attacked Ms O'Hanrahan, an administrator for the Architectural Association of Ireland, in the women's toilets of the Irish Film Centre.
Adams had recently broken up with a man that Ms O'Hanrahan was meeting that night. A witness noticed them having a heated discussion, and then Adams broke her wine glass and began stabbing Ms O'Hanrahan in the neck and face with it. The witness said both women appeared to be very drunk.
Ms O'Hanrahan received stitches to her neck, chin and temple. The scars on her neck and face were permanent and she also had numbness around her face for 12 months.