Trial begins of nurse accused of two murders

A nurse allegedly poisoned two elderly men in Naas General Hospital three years ago after using excessive force to administer unprescribed drugs to them, a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has been told.

Ms Noreen Mullholland, aged 33, previously of Runabeg Close, Kildare, and now living in Park Road, Portadown, County Armagh, has pleaded not guilty to four charges in relation to two men.

She denies assault causing harm to Mr John Gethings, aged 77, Baltinglass, County Wicklow and to intentionally or recklessly administering a substance to him knowing it was capable of interfering substantially with his bodily functions and that she did so without his consent on March 1, 2003.

She also denies assaulting Mr Seamus Doherty, aged 80, Rathcoffey, Naas, County Kildare causing him harm and intentionally or recklessly administering a substance to him knowing it was capable of interfering substantially with his bodily functions and that she did so without his consent, between June 18-19, 2003.

Ms Orla Crowe BL, prosecuting, told the jury that Mr Gethings died on March 2, 2003 but emphasised that it was not the State’s case that Ms Mulholland was responsible for his death.

She told the jury that a colleague of Ms Mulholland’s would give evidence that the accused threatened Mr Doherty, threw a glass of water in his face and told him to shut up.

She said the prosecution alleges that Ms Mullholland gave Mr Gethings an intra muscular injection of "Serenase", using an white 16 gauge needle, after he called out in the middle of the night.

Ms Crowe explained that Serenase, which is prescribed for agitation, had earlier been prescribed to Mr Gethings in tablet form but his prescription chart didn’t authorise a second dosage that day nor did it allow an injection of the drug intramuscularly.

She said that a colleague of Ms Mulholland, who was working with her that night, would testify that the accused had used "excessive force" to administer the drug and that the manner in which she treated Mr Gethings caused him to "cry out in pain".

Ms Crowe said that Mr Gethings had been admitted to Naas General Hospital with a number of "chronic medical conditions" including lung disease and heart problems and that he died the next day because of his heart condition.

The jury heard that the State would claim that Ms Mulholland treated Mr Doherty, who was suffering from age related illnesses, in a similar manner after he called out for assistance during her night shift on the 18/19th of March 2003.

Ms Crowe said another colleague's of Ms Mulholland’s would testify that the accused again used excessive force and "launched" a needle containing "Serenase" into Mr Doherty’s buttock.

She would also claim that Ms Mulholland then threatened Mr Doherty, threw a glass of water in his face and told him to shut up.

This nurse later realised after checking Mr Doherty’s prescription chart that Ms Mulholland had no authority to prescribe "Serenase" to the man nor was she given permission to give him an intra muscular injection.

Ms Crowe said Mr Doherty’s family advised a nurse two days later that Mr Doherty complained of pain to his bottom. The two nurses who worked with her on the night of 18/19th March also informed their supervisor of Ms Mullholland’s behaviour on the night and gardaí were contacted.

Mr Gethings’ body was exhumed in July 2003 and a toxicologist would give evidence that samples from his buttocks tested positive for "Serenase".

Ms Deirdre Hogan, Deputy Chief executive of An Bord Altranais said Ms Mulholland registered with the organisation as a nurse on January 17, 2002.

She agreed with Mr Giollaiosa O Lideadha BL, defending, that Ms Mullholland had given an undertaking to the High Court not to practice as a nurse since the investigation began and that she had complied with this.

The trial continues before Judge Frank O’Donnell and a jury of six women and six men.