Shannon Jordan who claimed her actions were in self-defence had left her victim with a fractured eye socket.

A young woman who stabbed another teenager with a stiletto heel during a drunken row after a school graduation ceremony has been told that she faces jail if she fails to co-operate with the Probation Service.

Judge Gerald Keys gave the warning to Shannon Jordan (19), of Lios Anama, Sixmilebridge, Co Clare, when she appeared at Ennis Circuit Court.

Natasha Griffin McMahon, who was 17 at the time, suffered a fractured eye socket and laceration when Jordan used the pointed heel of her shoe to strike her in the face.

Jordan had pleaded guilty to committing the serious assault in August 2015.

In her victim impact statement, Ms Griffin McMahon said she came close to being blinded.

The deepest cut from the stiletto "was millimetres below my eye", she said.

"If it had been even slightly higher I would have lost my eye completely or at best my sight," she added.

"It terrifies me to think of how much my life would have been affected."

Ms Griffin McMahon underwent surgery and it was only after four to five months that she began to regain feeling and movement in the side of her face.

"It is shocking how quickly a weapon was introduced to this altercation and how dangerous it proved to be," she said.

"Every time I met with the doctor, they advised me of how fortunate I had been."

The incident happened in Shannon town centre as a group of teenagers returned from a school graduation ceremony in Limerick in the early hours.

It is accepted that Jordan did not remove her shoe for the purpose of attacking Ms Griffin McMahon.

Jordan has been paying compensation to Ms Griffin McMahon at a rate of €50 a week since February and her solicitor had €1,700 in court yesterday. In all, Jordan is to pay €5,000 in compensation.

Detective Sergeant Kevin O'Hagan previously told the court that there was a high level of intoxication among the group.

The court heard that, when the bus arrived at Shannon at 3am, an argument erupted between Ms Griffin McMahon and Jordan's then-boyfriend.

Det Sgt O'Hagan said Ms Griffin McMahon pushed Jordan, who was carrying her shoes. Jordan then used the shoe to strike her in the face.

Yesterday Jordan's counsel, Patrick Whyms, said a probation report in court was "not entirely glowing" for his client.

He said it appeared that her engagement with the service had not been totally satisfactory.

Addressing Jordan, Judge Keys told her to engage with the Probation Service, "otherwise you are facing a custodial sentence".

Det Sgt O'Hagan said Jordan attended Shannon Garda Station after the attack, made admissions and indicated her actions were in self-defence.

Jordan has no previous convictions and works in the bar trade. Det Sgt O'Hagan said there was a "very minimal" risk of her reoffending.

Mr Whyms said it was never his client's intention to cause injury to Ms Griffin McMahon's eye. He said it was an "excessive reaction" to being pushed.

Judge Keys adjourned sentencing to December 18 and remanded Jordan on bail.

Herald