Gardai called to 24 incidents at Sligo Hospital this year

Sligo Leitrim Gardai were called to 24 incidents at Sligo Hospital this year, according to the Garda Pulse system.

According to figures published by the Minister for Justice, the numbers refer to incidents where the location was marked as 'hospital' in the Gardaí's reporting software called PULSE.

Gardaí in in the Sligo-Leitrim area were called out to 28 incidents at hospitals in the region in 2022, an increase from the 2021 figure of 24. The Mayo/Roscommon/Longford division have been called out to 27 incidents so far this year, a reduction on last year's figure of 32. Cavan-Monaghan had the lowest number of hospital attacks recorded with 21 so far this year. Donegal noted 27 incidents in the same time frame.

Nationally, there have been 1,052 callouts to hospitals by Gardaí so far this year, representing a significant increase from the 2021 figure of 862. The highest number of hospital attacks was recorded in Dublin South Central, followed by 90 at Dublin North Central, and 70 in Limerick.

The vast majority of cases concern physical attacks or abuse directed at nurses, doctors, porters and security staff.

Acting Justice Minister Heather Humphreys confirmed that 4,862 criminal incidents were recorded in hospitals in Ireland over the last five years.