AN IRVINESTOWN man has been given community service after three separate incidents at the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) between September and December last year.
Andrew Fisher (20) of Hudson Heights appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday for sentencing on three sets of charges.
The first was disorderly behaviour, the second was possession of a blade, and finally, he was charged with possession of Class B and Class A drugs.
The first incident, disorderly behaviour, related to an incident at SWAH on September 8th last year.
At around 7.30pm Fisher was admitted to the Emergency Department (ED). He was quite drowsy, but became more alert around 10.10pm, when he demanded to leave, and pulled out medical equipment from his arm.
Fisher repeatedly pressed the button that opened the door to the ED, eventually making the door inoperable.
He was also shouting “get away from me” and “let me out”, in full hearing of members of the public in the waiting room. He then left with his mother.
Then, on September 15th last, at around 5.45am, police were called to the ED at SWAH after Fisher produced a lock knife. He had been cutting his arm with the knife, and then passed out. When he produced the knife again later, he was challenged by nurses and the receptionist in the ED and the knife was removed from him.
Finally, on Saturday, December 16th police attended the SWAH after staff at had found drugs in the resuscitation room, namely two blocks of cannabis resin and a small bag of white powder, found to be cocaine.
When the officers spoke to Fisher he asked them: “Are you going to take the dope off me? I need that to sleep.”
Fisher said he’d fallen asleep and when he woke the drugs had been found.
Defence barrister Stephen Fitzpatrick said sentencing had previously been adjourned in all matters to allow Fisher to engage with community services, which he had done “with early signs of success.”
Judge Ranaghan sentenced Fisher to 18 months community service, with the condition he continues to engage with drug and alcohol counselling.
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