Drunk woman who abused staff at Cork's Mercy University Hospital jailed   

Coming to hospital blind drunk, being helped by hospital staff and turning around to tell them to f*** off, is a bridge too far, a judge told a 47-year-old woman as she jailed her for two months.

Mary Foley of Cork Simon Community pleaded guilty to being drunk and a danger and engaging in threatening behaviour at the accident and emergency unit of Mercy University Hospital at 8.30pm on April 25.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis said Mary Foley has 363 convictions. She was convicted 27 times for engaging in threatening behaviour, and 77 times for being drunk and a danger.

Sgt Davis said that on this latest occasion, she was extremely abusive and aggressive towards staff who were present.

Sergeant Patrick O’Connell arrived at the scene to assist staff, and the defendant also told him to f*** off.

“She was shouting and roaring. There were other patients present and they had to be moved away as they were scared of her.

“Sgt O’Connell and two members of staff had to stay with Mary Foley until she fell asleep,” Sgt Davis said.

Diarmuid Kelleher said a chronic alcohol problem from when she was a teenager had ruined her life and that she had very bad brain fog as a result of an injury.

Judge Miriam Walsh noted that the defendant was on social welfare and said that some people working in hospitals were not paid much more and that their working conditions were very demanding.

Mary Foley said: “I am sorry, what more can I do?”

Judge Walsh said: “Nobody was standing over you pouring drink into you… People in hospitals have to work all hours and for you to come along and tell them to f*** off is a bridge too far.” 

The judge jailed her for two months.