Hospital porter injured trying to break up fight

A hospital porter was tossed aside and injured as he tried to break up a fight outside Mercy University Hospital and was out of work for three weeks as a result.

The man responsible for the assault, 29-year-old Patrick Kavanagh of 12 Nursery Drive, Ardfallen Rd, Ballinlough, Cork, was before Cork District Court yesterday for sentencing.

Inspector Eileen Foster said the incident occurred outside the hospital at 2.45am on March 2, 2014, when the accused appeared to be in an agitated condition after consuming alcohol.

Hospital porter JJ Cronin intervened to restrain Kavanagh, who tossed Mr Cronin aside, causing him injuries that left him out of work for three weeks and on light duties for two weeks on his return.

Insp Foster said Kavanagh did admit tossing the porter aside in his attempt to get away from the hospital.

Michael Quinlan, defence solicitor, said the accused had been in town with his brother who was assaulted and had to be taken to the Mercy. The defendant’s brother did make a complaint to gardaí he had been assaulted, Mr Quinlan said.

Mr Quinlan said that when the porter intervened the defendant did not know who he was and he lashed out when he should not have done.

Judge Olann Kelleher said he could do 220 hours of community service instead of five months in prison on a charge of assault.