Man arrested as doctor stabbed by patient at Dublin homeless health service

Staff at the medical unit contacted emergency services, with the Garda Armed Response Unit (ARU) among those who responded. Picture: iStock

A man has been arrested after a doctor working in Dublin’s homeless sector was stabbed by a patient at a city-centre medical unit on Friday morning.

The incident occurred when a senior male doctor at Usher’s Island in the city centre was reviewing a long-term patient. During the consultation, the patient produced a knife and attacked the doctor.

Staff at the medical unit contacted emergency services, with the Garda Armed Response Unit (ARU) among those who responded.

The Usher’s Island Day Hospital unit operates from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Sunday, and works predominantly with people in the homeless sector who have mental health issues.

The patient is understood to have a history of violence and recently appeared in court in connection with another serious offence.

In a statement, gardaí said: “Shortly after 9am on Friday, 30th October 2025, Gardaí from Kevin Street and ASU responded to reports of an incident at a premises on Ushers Island, Dublin 8.

“During the incident, a man in his 50s was seriously assaulted.

“He received medical attention at the scene from Gardaí before being transported by ambulance to St. James’s Hospital.

“A man in his 60s was arrested at the scene and is currently being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda station in Dublin City.

“Investigations are ongoing.”