50 year-old retired nurse Paula Flood lashed out in the George this February after being antagonised for being a straight person in a gay bar. She threw a glass at the man who had frustrated her, missing him but inadvertently hitting another woman in the head and knocking her out.

Her case in Dublin District Court has now been adjourned, with Judge Michael Walsh calling the incident a “nasty, unprovoked attack” and ordering Flood to take part in a restorative justice programme.

Flood, from Whitechurch Drive, Rathfarnham, admitted to assault causing harm and producing a glass as a weapon during a dispute.

The judge said appropriate compensation could not be measured until more information on the victim’s medical expenses becomes available.

The court heard that the incident took place on February 7. Flood had become involved in an argument with a gay man, who walked away from her. She threw a glass in his direction but missed, accidentally hitting the victim on the back of the head and causing her to lose consciousness for a few moments.

The woman did not appear at first to be seriously hurt, and had no obvious cuts to her head. She was taken to St James’s Hospital, where she was given painkillers.

However, she has said in a victim impact statement that she suffered a concussion for six to eight weeks afterwards. She had headaches, became forgetful and had difficulty concentrating at work. After the most serious effects wore off, she continued to suffer from a milder form of concussion for months.

The woman said the incident frightened her to the point that, when she next returned to the George, she began crying and had to leave. She cut down on social events as a result of the incident and, hating to know there were people behind her, she began sitting with her back to the wall.

“Flood was antagonised by another individual for being a straight individual in a gay bar,” said defence solicitor Michael French. The man insulted her, she was “relatively intoxicated” and she lashed out.

In court, Flood showed remorse over the incident. She used to work as a nurse, the court heard, but retired due to severe anxiety.