Judge warns disorderly behaviour in Altnagelvin Hospital will result in immediate imprisonment
District Judge Ted Magill was speaking in the case of a 21-year-old woman Caoirse McCann of Jefferson Court in Derry admitted one charge of disorderly behaviour on September 8, 2024
A judge at Derry Magistrates' Court today said that the message has to go out that the courts are rapidly reaching the point where disorderly behaviour in Altnagelvin Hospital will result in immediate imprisonment.
District Judge Ted Magill was speaking in the case of a 21-year-old woman Caoirse McCann of Jefferson Court in Derry admitted one charge of disorderly behaviour on September 8, 2024.
The court heard that police were called to a report of a female shouting and being abusive towards staff in A&E.
They found McCann who had also posted a picture of a staff member on social media but this was taken down when police arrived.
Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said his client wanted to apologise for her actions.
He said McCann was aware that this was probably 'her last chance and she has reached the end of the road'.
Judge Magill said this was 'appalling behaviour' and said McCann was one of an increasing number of people coming before the court for these type of charges.
He added: "Health Service professionals have to put up with this on a nightly basis and then the police have to be called."
The judge said that this is a total waste of resources and warned the court is 'rapidly reaching the time' when you committed an offence like this you go to prison.
He sentenced McCann to 120 hours Community Service.