Cranberries' singer Dolores O'Riordan escapes prison

Dolores O'Riordan has escaped a custodial sentence after admitting before Christmas to the assault of a garda and two Shannon Airport police officers in November 2014.
Appearing today before Judge Patrick Durcan in Ennis, the Cranberries singer was ordered to pay €6,000 into the court poor box, which will be used to help rehabilitate prisoners.
Taking into account her guilty plea, written apologies to the injured parties and battles with mental illness, Judge Durcan said it would be unfair to impose a criminal conviction on the 44-year-old.
"Let me be utterly clear that the defendant is not being treated any differently than anyone else," he stressed.
Talking outside the court to reporters, O'Riordan said she was glad that the ordeal was over and revealed that she has "a couple of albums" coming out.
Today's outcome leaves her free to participate in the Cranberries' summer reunion, which so far includes dates in Poland, France, Switzerland and Holland.