RIP Laura Buckley Noonan
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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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A man who admitted assaulting a nurse in Altnagelvin Hospital has been told he 'needs to stop drinking.'
Kieran Kelly (24) of Barr's Lane in Derry admitted a charge of assault on a nurse on November 27.
The court heard that Kelly was taken to Altnagelvin on November 26 and at 12.20am he was in A&E and was trying to get up.
A nurse saw he was unsteady and tried to help him when Kelly swing a punch at the nurse striking him on the shoulder.
The court heard that this was followed by a torrent of verbal abuse that continued for 30 minutes until police arrived.
A police officer said when he interviewed Kelly he was remorseful.
Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that he wanted a pre-sentence report for his client and was seeking bail while that report was prepared.
He said Kelly had expressed remorse immediately and had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.
The solicitor said that his client was 'a danger to himself' and when sober 'was an absolute gentleman'.
District Judge Barney McElholm said that Kelly had to get used to the idea that he could not drink.
He said when this man drinks he gets into trouble and simply needs to stop drinking.
He released him on bail on condition he does not take any alcohol, does not enter Altnagelvin except in a medical emergency and has no contact with the injured party.
He said Kelly was 'in grave danger of an immediate custodial sentence' and ordered a pre-sentence report for January 13.
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