A man who was arrested on a public order charge after he “shouted abuse” in the A&E Department of University Hospital Waterford (UHW) was recently handed a prison sentence.
The man, who is in his 30s, cannot be named for legal reasons set out under the International Protection Act 2015.
He appeared before Judge Kevin Staunton at a sitting of Waterford District Court earlier this month, and pleaded guilty to a public order charge, which related to an incident that occurred at UHW in January.
The court heard that on Tuesday, 6 January, the accused entered the hospital’s A&E Department before 8.00 pm in an “intoxicated state”, and was arrested by Gardaí after he started to “shout abuse” at others in the waiting area.
It was stated that the accused came before the court previously, when he had three public order matters struck out under Section 1 (1) of the Probation Act.
Acting for the defendant, solicitor Hilary Delahunty outlined that it is “obvious” his client has a drink problem.
Mr. Delahunty told Judge Staunton that his client is currently applying for refugee status and that it would be a ‘pity’ to send someone like the accused to jail, with the solicitor asking if he could be ‘saved’ from it.
Judge Staunton said that it is ‘inexcusable’ to turn up at an A&E Department and behave in that way. The Judge handed the accused a two month prison sentence for the matter, adding that recognisance was fixed in the event of an appeal.
Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Robyn Power
