Cork prisoner taken to hospital after drinking ‘hooch’ turned on prison officer and tried to bite him

A prisoner became ill after drinking ‘prison hooch’ and was taken to hospital for treatment but he turned on a prison officer by spitting in his face and trying to bite him.

23-year-old Michael Troy of Ardmore Terrace, Cork Road, Waterford, was serving a sentence at Cork Prison when he had to be taken by ambulance to hospital and carried out the assault.

Sergeant John Kelleher said the incident occurred at Mercy University Hospital on February 2 2024 when the prison officer was assaulted while restraining the disruptive prisoner.

“He had become ill in the prison while drinking what is called ‘prison hooch’ and had to be taken by ambulance to hospital.

“Mr Troy spat in the prison officer’s face and also tried unsuccessfully to bite the officer’s hand. No injuries were sustained.

“The prison officer received treatment at the hospital where his face, eyes and mouth were cleaned by medical staff and did not sustain any other injuries.

“Michael Troy stated he had poor recollection of the night due to intoxication but he did not dispute the allegation that he did carry out the assault.” 

The accused man is serving a five-year sentence for aggravated assault from Waterford Circuit Criminal Court and is not due for release until July 31 2027.

Solicitor Shane Collins-Daly said the date of the incident was his mother’s anniversary and he acknowledged that he was brought to hospital for his own good.

“He took something that got him into this shocking behaviour,” Mr Collins-Daly said.

Judge Treasa Kelly said: “That is totally unacceptable behaviour that you would turn on a prison officers in the course of his duty, particularly in a hospital setting where people go for help.

“I note you have apologised to the injured party and in the circumstances of a very long sentenced that you are serving I will impose one month consecutive to your existing sentence.” 

Fruit, bread and water are sometimes combined in a sealed container in prisons in an attempt to make alcohol by fermentation.