Enniskillen Court House
OFFENCES which occurred in a ward at South West Acute Hospital have led to a prison sentence, which has already been served while on remand.
Keith Francis Corrigan (49) from Windmill Heights, Enniskillen was scheduled to contest four charges but entered a last-minute guilty plea to two and the remainder did not proceed.
Enniskillen Magistrates Court heard police were called to the hospital on March 11 after Corrigan refused to leave.
As a nurse attempted to escort him from the ward, Corrigan pushed toward her, trying to gain access to a room in which his ex-partner was located.
Throughout the incident the defendant, who was intoxicated, shouted numerous obscenities in front of staff, patients and the public.
A defending solicitor said the incident was “very regretful” and not one his client set out to cause. He said, “This has led to a great deal of shame and regret for the defendant, in acting as he did in a manner which upset all present.”
Having been arrested, Corrigan “accepted his actions by and large” during interview.
“It was conceded bail had been granted initially but then refused after a breach of conditions, which led to him spending eight weeks in custody, the equivalent of a four month prison sentence.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan commented, “The very obvious aggravating factor is the location was a hospital and the victim was a nurse, a person trying to help society who must be protected by the courts.”
Handing down a sentence of three months imprisonment, Judge Renahan warned, “This is behaviour which is not to be repeated. These offences will be dealt with very differently if ever committed again.”