Jail for man who assaulted paramedic who went to his assistance in Cork city

A four-month sentence was imposed on a man who was convicted of assaulting an ambulance paramedic who went to his assistance when he was lying on the side of St. Patrick’s Quay in Cork.

Judge Olann Kelleher who heard the evidence in the contested case imposed the jail term.

The paramedic was kicked on the leg by the man.

Sentencing of the accused man, Robert Harris, had been put back following his conviction at the end of a contested hearing.

Judge Kelleher said as he imposed sentence, “The paramedic was only there to help him.” 

Solicitor, Frank Buttimer, acknowledged that he had engaged only to a limited degree with the probation service.

The case had gone to trial and Robert Harris denied an assault charge claiming he was suffering an epileptic fit at the time.

However, the injured party, John McCarthy, said the defendant Robert Harris of Cork Simon Community, was “faking it.” 

John McCarthy, ambulance paramedic, responded to a call on April 4, 2021 about a man having a seizure on St. Patrick’s Quay.

“Mr Harris was lying on his side. There was no seizure activity when we arrived. He was not unconscious. I put my hand on his chest. He gave me two kicks to the back of my leg on my calf. He told me to get my hands off him.

“There was no seizure activity. He was not confused and irritated. He was quite abusive and agitated. He did not want our help,” Mr McCarthy said.

The paramedic said he knew Robert Harris, who is aged around 50, and had assisted him several times before. He said the defendant was not having a seizure and was not unconscious but was faking this.

“He told me to get my hands off me and gave me two kicks in the calf,” the injured party said.

Margaret Casey of national ambulance service corroborated her colleague’s evidence.