'Fake Nun' charged with disorderly behaviour after Garvaghy Road incident
Rachel Mulcahy, who insists on being called HH Reverend Anna Christian, was charged with disorderly behaviour and jaywalking after an incident on Garvaghy Road in Portadown, where she was shouting obscenities and waving her arms erratically.
A woman known as the ‘Fake Nun’ has appeared in court after walking the Garvaghy Road in Portadown wearing a union flag headdress and shouting obscenities.
Rachel Mulcahy (49) from Bendigo Street, Belfast who insists on being called HH Reverend Anna Christian is charged with disorderly behaviour and jaywalking.
She was placed in the cells of Craigavon Magistrates Court from where she was heard singing loudly and presenting “challenging behaviour.”
When brought to the dock she began shouting at the judge for not using her correct title.
Having been asked if she understood the charges, she replied, “What is my name? The response If my name is HH Reverend then I understand.”
A police officer explained on October 27 officers were called to Garvaghy Road where Mulcahy was in the middle of the road, “shouting and waving her arms erratically”.
She began to run off shouting, “Shoot me.”
By this stage a large crown had gathered and Mulcahy was placed into a PSNI vehicle, still shouting as she was driven away.
When charged, she refused to go home, stating if released she would return to Garvaghy Road.
Police considered this would place her and others at risk and may lead to a public disorder so she was charged to court.
A defence lawyer described the position as, “Unfortunate and fully her own doing. These are significant matters especially given what is going on politically.”
District Judge Michael Ranaghan enquired if Mulcahy had “Resiled from her comment about returning to Garvaghy Road?”
From the dock she replied, “I’m HH Reverend.”
The judge told her, “HH Reverend or what ever your name is, if released would you go back. Do you stand by that?”
She replied, “Yes. I’m going straight back.”
The judge said, “Bail refused. There is risk of public disorder given the current situation. She’s a risk to herself and others. My hands are tied.”
At this Mulchay shouted, “I’ve a right to walk the Garvaghy Road. I’m a British protestant in this United Kingdom. I’ve a right. We all have a right. Protestant people have a right to march.”
When offered the opportunity to apologise, she replied, “I am HH Reverend Anna Christian. I have nothing to apologise for. I have the right to walk the Garvaghy Road. I’m a protestant preacher. I have purpose. I do good. I’m an ex-catholic saved by Jesus Christ and I love it. If I want the IRA to shoot me and make me a martyr and send me into heaven gloriously, that’s my choice.”
The judge said, “Not only is bail refused. I’ve given an opportunity to apologise. Contempt of court is very much engaged.”
He ordered Mulcahy to be returned to the cells for consultation with her lawyer about her behaviour and only to bring her back when the court was quieter, “So she can voice her odious comments without the benefit of an audience.”
She shouted, “I’ll take a bullet for you and your mother and your children and for everyone here, because you’re worthy and because I am commanded to love by Jesus Christ.”
Minutes later Mulcahy could again be heard singing loudly from the cells, further disrupting the court.
After about 30 minutes Judge Ranaghan ordered her back and undeterred, she proclaimed, “I demand an apology. Life is valuable and I am important. I’m highly trained with a third-level education. I trained with the police. I trained at Trinity College. I’m a highly educated and articulate person. Jesus died for you and if I get the privilege, I’ll die for you too if you let me walk the Garvaghy Road.”
Moving straight to sentencing for contempt Judge Ranaghan jailed Mulchay for 30 days who shouted, “Repent. God loves you. Thank you, Jesus. It’s a privilege.”