Woman (46) shouting obscenities at staff and public in hospital had recently lost her partner
A 46-year-old woman who was extremely abusive to nursing staff in the Emergency Department of Sligo University Hospital had recently lost her partner to suicide, Sligo District Court was told.
Sergeant Derek Butler told Judge Kevin Kilrane that on November 15 th 2018 gardaí were on mobile patrol and received a report that a woman was being highly abusive to staff and members of the public in the Emergency Department.
When gardaí arrived they found the defendant, Amanda Farrell, with an address at Maryville Hostel, Finisklin who was highly intoxicated.
She was shouting obscenities at members of the hospital staff and the public.
Sergeant Butler told the judge the defendant repeatedly swore at nursing staff and the gardaí and said to them that they were ‘not good for much’.
Farrell was subsequently arrested and brought to Ballymote Garda Station. She was charged with being intoxicated in public and threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour.
Mr John Anderson solicitor (defending) told the court that the defendant’s partner had recently taken his own life. He explained that she had been doing well up to that and from that point of view he asked the court to exercise discretion.
The judge replied that he appreciated Farrell was going through a hard time but he said she has been at this type of behaviour for years, namely public order and larceny.
“While I sympathise with her on the death of her partner, she cannot trade on that,” he added. Mr Anderson replied that the offences did seem to be on the lower end of the scale.
The judge told Farrell: “I sympathise with you on your bereavement but alcohol is not the solution. I would advise you to seek some form of professional help,” he added. Judge Kilrane remanded her on bail until February 7 th and told her that he doesn’t want to see her back before the courts between now and then.