An Ottawa woman has been granted a conditional discharge after pleading guilty to attacking her elderly neighbors in their home. The incident occurred on October 12, 2022, when Manon Rail unlawfully entered the apartment of Margaret and Thomas Keogh while they were having dinner. Rail caused significant injuries, including a deep gash to Thomas Keogh's right forearm and extensive bruising to his wife’s arm.

According to Justice Adriana Doyle, Rail knocked on the couple's door and forced her way inside, demanding keys to an apartment previously rented by another tenant. When Margaret Keogh asked her to leave, Rail became physical, pushing both Margaret and Thomas. Thomas fell and required an overnight hospital stay due to his injuries. After the attack, Rail took Margaret's purse and fled, but Margaret pursued her to retrieve it.

The court heard that Rail was managing a rental property for a friend at the time of the incident. In a victim impact statement, Margaret Keogh, now 81, described how the attack has drastically altered her life. She reported suffering from various health issues, including anxiety and insomnia, and expressed fear of encountering Rail again, as they live in the same building. Thomas Keogh, who has undergone two major surgeries due to his injuries, also shared the emotional and physical toll the incident has taken on him.

Justice Doyle noted that Rail's actions have had a profound psychological impact on the Keoghs, disrupting their sense of stability and well-being. The Crown sought a one-year conditional sentence with house arrest, but the defense argued for a conditional discharge, highlighting that this was Rail's first offense and that a criminal record could jeopardize her job as an educational assistant.

Ultimately, the judge decided on a conditional discharge for Rail, which includes 18 months of probation. Conditions of her discharge require her to maintain good behavior, report to a probation officer, and complete 100 hours of community service, preferably with seniors. Rail is also prohibited from possessing weapons for ten years and must maintain a distance of at least 50 meters from the Keoghs.

Rail, who is nearly 60 and has no prior criminal record, has received numerous letters of support from her community, indicating that the incident was out of character for her. She has worked as an educational assistant for several years, where she is described as compassionate and dedicated to her students.

The Ottawa Catholic School Board stated that it takes the safety of its staff and students seriously but did not comment on whether Rail's employment status is under review. The judge emphasized that Rail's actions that night were in stark contrast to her otherwise supportive and calm demeanor, leaving the court puzzled over her motives.