Drunk man who abused hospital staff is ‘skating on thin ice’

April 11, 2022

A Judge has slammed a man who abused staff and Gardai at Letterkenny University Hospital when he was drunk.

Ciaran Gillespie was intoxicated at the hospital on April 3rd last.

When he was arrested by Gardai for his own safety, he began to abuse officers as he was retrained.

The 35-year-old appeared at Letterkenny District Court today after he was charged under the Public Order Act.

Solicitor for the accused, Ms Catherine Bonner, said her client had an issue with alcohol and had been on a binge when this incident happened.

She said there was a pattern to his behaviour and the court was told Gillespie had previous convictions for obstructing Gardai and other public order matters.

She added that Gillespie’s parents were in court with him and he had a place in a rehabilitation centre in Wexford which was due to start soon.

Ms Bonner also revealed that her client has taken librium before taking drink saying he wanted to apologise to Gardai and staff and the hospital.

Judge Patricia Cronin criticised Gillespie, of Solomon’s Hill, Letterkenny, for his behaviour and the fact that it happened in a hospital.

She added “This is where people go for assistance and they don’t need to be confronted by somebody who is drunk or is abusing them.”

However, she did say she accepted that Gillespie was making efforts towards addressing his alcohol problems.

She adjourned the case until July 11th to allow for a Probation and Welfare Report.

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