Four years for patient who left doctor in burning surgery

A drug addict who left a wheelchair-bound doctor in his burning surgery, has been jailed for four years by Judge Michael White at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Jason O’Brien (aged 26) and his pregnant girlfriend became frustrated when the doctor, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, refused to give them the medication they requested.

He kicked a cushion from a sofa and rushed out of the surgery when he noticed it starting the fire. Neither he nor his partner contacted the emergency services and the doctor was dragged by neighbours to safety from the burning building.

O’Brien of Clanbrassil Street, Dublin 8, pleaded guilty to causing damage to the property arising out of reckless behaviour on November 21, 2002.

Detective Garda John Griffin of Santry garda station said the surgery was completely destroyed with estimated damage in excess of €43,000 euro and he accepted that O’Brien had no means of offering compensation.

Det Garda Griffin further accepted that O’Brien had expressed his apologies to the doctor and that he had not intentionally caused the blaze.

Judge White sentenced O’Brien to four years in prison, but suspended the last two years on condition that he continue with his drug rehabilitation programme, be of good behaviour and remain under the supervision of the probation services.