Drunk man spat blood at medic in ambulance

A member of an ambulance crew had blood spat into her face by a drunken man to whom she was giving medical assistance in the back of an ambulance.

Judge Marie Keane told the accused, Aidan Scanlon: “Your conduct was reprehensible, to spit at anyone, but to spit at the female member of (the ambulance crew) is simply beyond description.”

Defence solicitor Joseph Cuddigan, said Scanlon, aged 26, of Burgess, Killeagh, Co Cork, had never come before the courts previously but that a combination of medication and alcohol taken on the night had caused a total mental disorientation.

Scanlon was not a regular drinker but, on the night in question, he had consumed half a litre of vodka.

Mr Cuddigan characterised him as a respectful man in gainful employment who was about to travel to Australia to take up agricultural work.

“He is extremely embarrassed and ashamed at what he has done,” Mr Cuddigan said.

The solicitor said Scanlon had brought €500 as a gesture of compensation to the injured party.

The judge said he should gather as much again and have the total of €1,000 brought to Cork District Court on December 9.

“He should also write a fulsome letter of apology to this lady for his conduct,” the judge said.

She added that if this was done and the €1,000 gathered then the assault charge would be struck out.

If not done, Scanlon would be sentenced to three months in prison.