Man charged after disturbance at Mercy University Hospital

PATIENTS at Mercy University Hospital had to deal with the violent disturbance caused by another patient assaulting a member of staff at the facility, a court has heard.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis told Cork District Court that at the height of the incident, Richard O’Brien, 27, had to be held in a small room but that he repeatedly ran at the door and tried to ram it open. Sgt Davis said that the door and frame were damaged, and blood from Mr O’Brien’s head wound was splashed on the walls and floor of the room.

Richard O’Brien, of 14 Hollyhill Heights, Hollyhill, Cork, pleaded guilty to charges of assaulting a security officer, causing criminal damage, and engaging in threatening behaviour.

Details of the incident, which occurred on the morning of July 21, 2023, were outlined for Judge Mary Dorgan.

“Gardaí were dispatched to the Mercy Hospital,” said Sgt Davis. “Staff were having difficulties with a patient. On arrival, gardaí were met by security at the ambulance bay who outlined that a patient was in the resus area and was aggressive and threatening towards staff.

“The patient was being held in a small room with the door being forced closed by security staff due to his aggression.

“Richard O’Brien tried to get out of this room by kicking and running at the door. In doing this, he reached out his arm, and in doing so he struck the member of security staff in the face.

“The door and door frame were damaged and there was blood from the patient’s head wound on the floor and walls. The injured party suffered a minor injury.”

The accused had 38 previous convictions, including 10 for threatening behaviour, four for assault, and one for causing criminal damage.

Sgt Davis said the assault occurred in the course of the man’s attempt to force his way out of the room in which he was being held.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, described Mr O’Brien as “an involuntary attendee” at the hospital at the time in relation to mental health concerns.

“He was probably resistant, but he was taken to hospital,” he said. “What was in his mind was to seek to get out of the hospital, and that would have been against medical advice.”

Mr O’Brien suffers from conditions including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, the solicitor said.

Judge Dorgan put sentencing back until May 2 for a probation report.

“You can only imagine how difficult it was for people attending the hospital by the way he was behaving — the blood and the banging and everything,” said Judge Dorgan.

“There was €1,000 worth of damage. He is going to have to make some effort to compensate. And he has to stay out of trouble.”