Psychiatrist who bit gardaí believes drink was spiked

A leading consultant psychiatrist who bit two gardaí when they tried to arrest him outside a pub for being drunk believed his drink had been spiked, a court heard yesterday.

Dr Seamus Ó Flaithbheartaigh, aged 51, of Caiseal Mara, Annacotty, Co Limerick, at a previous sitting of Limerick District Court, through his solicitor, said he was not contesting the allegations.

In the incident which occurred in the early hours of Jul 7, 2012, he also bit a pub doorman.

Sgt Donal Cronin, prosecuting, said that Dr Ó Flaithbheartaigh was highly intoxicated, aggressive, agitated, and uncooperative when arrested outside Nancy Blake’s pub in the city centre. When he came to his senses, Sgt Cronin said Dr Ó Flaithbheartaigh was very apologetic.

Michael Collins, defending, said Dr Ó Flaithbheartaigh was highly thought of in his profession and applied the highest clinical standards and was chairperson of the Limerick consultant psychiatrists group. Since qualifying, Dr Ó Flaithbheartaigh he said worked in Britain and the US and read out two testimonials.

Dr John O’Mahony, director of mental health in the Mid-West, in a written submission, said Dr Ó Flaithbheartaigh worked to the highest clinical standards in an exemplary manner.

Dr David Maher, of UL’s graduate entry school of medicine described Dr Ó Flaithbheartaigh as “passionate and compassionate” in caring for the most vulnerable psychiatric patients in the Mid-West.

Judge Aeneas McCarthy said he accepted what had occurred was an aberration from normal behaviour. He applied the probation act, dismissing the charges against Dr Ó Flaithbheartaigh. He made no order regarding compensation as this was a matter for the civil court.