GARDAI were forced to arrest a man in a motorised wheelchair after he became drunk and abusive in the casualty department of Letterkenny General Hospital, a court has heard.
Martin O’Neill, 106 Meadowbank Park, Letterkenny admitted a breach of the peace and being intoxicated when he appeared before Letterkenny District Court.
Judge Paul Kelly heard he had a string of previous convictions in his native Laois for similar offences.
A Garda Inspector told the court that officers were called to the hospital at 4.20am on December 21 last.
“Mr O’Neill was in a motorised buggy and when he was spoken to by gardai he became extremely aggressive,” said the inspector.
“His wife tried to calm him down without any success. He was arrested under the public order act.”
O’Neill had 27 previous convictions for threatening behaviour in Portlaoise, he said, but had not come to Garda attention for more than two years since moving to Co Donegal.
Solicitor Rory O’Brien said his client openly admitted his wrongdoing the next day and apologised to Gardai.
“He left the Laois area to remove himself from noxious elements. He moved to Donegal and has since remarried,” said O’Brien.
The incident had resulted from an all-day drinking binge after a funeral.
“He has given me assurances that he will not come before the court again. He is putting his life back together,” added the solicitor.
Judge Kelly wanted to know why O’Neill was in a motorised buggy and was told it was because the defendant was disabled.
The judge then asked O’Neill: “If you were in the casualty department of a hospital and some drunk comes in and starts casuing mayhem, how would you feel about that?”
O’Neill replied: “I wouldn’t like it. I apologise judge.”
Judge Kelly sentenced O’Neill to six months in prison, suspending the sentence for two years.
He warned the defendant: “If you are in this court again this sentence will be activated.”