A Bandon woman has been jailed for ten days for failing to wear a mask while out shopping.
It was the grandmother's seventh conviction for such an offence.
Jamie O Hara has this report for RedFM News:
"Bandon District Court heard that Margaret Buttimer of St Fintan's Road in Bandon had lived an "unblemished" life, and was without convictions until the pandemic broke out.
The 66 year old then started to go out shopping without a face mask in defiance of Covid-19 restrictions.
On one occasion, she told a shop manager that she was only answerable to God.
Buttimer has said that she is not sure if Covid exists or if face coverings protect against the virus.
Garda Trish Grimes told the court that Gardaí were called to Dunnes Stores in Clonakilty at around noon on Monday.
Buttimer had entered the store without a mask and refused to wear one when asked to by security staff.
She also refused to leave the shop.
She told Judge Colm Roberts that she felt the wearing of a mask should be a personal decision.
Judge Roberts said that whilst he regretted having to impose a custodial sentence, it was important to send out a message about the necessity to obey Public Health restrictions.
He imposed a thirty day prison sentence, with the last ten days suspended, and backdated to last Monday.
Jamie O Hara, RedFM News"
