Six months prison sentence for man charged with a number of offences at Altnagelvin Hospital

A man has been jailed at Derry Magistrates Court charged with a number of offences in Altnagelvin Hospital.

John Straghan, 34, of no fixed abode, appeared charged with disorderly behaviour, attempted criminal damage, assault and theft.

The court heard how, on July 9 this year, police were called to Altagalvin Hospital after reports of a man acting in a disruptive manner. 

It was said that Straghan had been at the hospital several times in the days before with no medical issues.

When police were called, Straghan had been acting aggressively with staff and refusing to leave the building. He was also said to be preventing people from coming and going by holding the doors closed. 

He had stuck his face into other patients faces and made grinding noises and spitting noises. 

He then went into the paediatric ward and tried to throw monitoring equipment. 

Straghan was unable to be interviewed while in police custody due to his 'violent and disruptive behaviour.' 

A defence solicitor told the court that Straghan had clear mental health issues but added that he was being correctly medicated since being in custody.

He also said that Straghan was not normally the kind of person to be in the hospital causing trouble.

The court was told that Straghan had no reason to be in the city, but was living in a hostel at the time and had no intention of going back.

District Judge Barney McElhom said that he thought 'it's a wise choice not to come back here', sentencing him to six months in prison.