Man assaulted nurse at Portlaoise Hospital

A man admitted assaulting a nurse at the Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise. 

Patrick Molloy (34) of Tinnycross, Tullamore, Co Offaly admitted a charge of assault causing harm to the male nurse at the hospital on December 22 last year. 

A victim impact report was handed in to Judge Nicola Andrews but not read aloud at the sitting of Portlaoise District Court. 

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client had significant mental health difficulties and had been an inpatient at the hospital at the time of the offence. He explained that the man had become upset because he was not allowed to use the toilet facilities prior to the assault and had “reacted appallingly” as a result.

Mr Fitzgerald said his client had penned a letter of apology and “can get €1,000 to the victim if given a week.” 

He said the man had been diagnosed as bipolar in 2016 and was on strong medication. He also said the man had endured “horrific experiences” as a child. 

Judge Andrews wanted to know if the man was in the care of a doctor and taking his medication. Mr Fitzgerald assured her that he was.   

“It is a serious offence on a member of the medical profession,” she noted. 

However, she said she would consider imposing a suspended sentence and binding him to the peace for two years if he brought €1,000 to court. 

Judge Andrews ordered that the letter of apology be delivered to the injured party and she adjourned the matter to Portlaoise District Court on October 14 for finalisation.