Drunk man accused of threatening behaviour in Cork hospital is jailed

Gardaí were called to Mercy University Hospital after defendant had become aggressive towards paramedics and nursing staff and then began cursing at gardaí, court heard

The incident occurred at Mercy University Hospital in Cork on October 12. Picture: Larry Cummins

A two-month-jail term was imposed on a drunken man for his threatening behaviour because the judge said it was aggravated by the fact he had been taken by ambulance to hospital.

Judge Mary Dorgan said she was also taking account of the fact that 30-year-old Craig O’Sullivan, of 24 Curraheen Drive, Bishopstown, Cork, had a lot of previous convictions for engaging in threatening behaviour.

This latest incident occurred at Mercy University Hospital in Cork on October 12.

In the early hours of that morning, gardaí received a report of a man causing a disturbance in the Mercy Hospital. The man had been brought in by ambulance and became aggressive on arrival towards paramedics and nursing staff.

The man was unable to provide his name and address, unable to stand on his own due to his level of intoxication, and there was a strong smell of alcohol coming from him and his speech was slurred.

As they interacted with him, he began shouting slurs and cursing at gardaí, when doctors, nurses and patients were present in the area.

He pleaded guilty to charges of drunken and threatening behaviour.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said of the accused: “He is looking a lot better than when I last saw him. He has rehabilitated well in prison. He is highly motivated.”