OAP hit nurse in face as she tried to help him after fall

A PENSIONER assaulted a nurse after she came to his aid after he collapsed outside a hospital, a court has heard.

Charles Lynagh appeared at Letterkenny District Court in Co. Donegal charged with assaulting nurse Amanda Sweeney.

Mr Lynagh, 69, was found lying unconscious outside Letterkenny University Hospital at 1.10pm on June 20, 2017, the court was told. Nurse Ms Sweeney tried to lift Lynagh and as she did so, he struck out and hit her in the face. CCTV footage of the attack was shown to Judge Paul Kelly in court.

She had to see a hospital consultant and leave work after being bruised above her left eye. Patsy Gallagher, solicitor for the accused, said his client was drunk and he had no recollection of the attack.

He paid tribute to Ms Sweeney who was back in work the day after the attack.

The court heard that Lynagh, of Tirlaughlin, Carrigart, had 30 previous convictions, many of which were for public order offences.

Judge Kelly asked if Lynagh had apologised to Ms Sweeney and if he planned to make recompense to her.

Mr Gallagher said his client had not apologised yet and that he was a man of very little means who had succumbed to alcohol in his life. Judge Kelly adjourned the case until January 7 for a community service and probation report.