Jailed for drunken behaviour at A&E

A 38-YEAR-OLD man with a record of previous convictions for public order offences was prescribed jail for his misbehaviour at the A&E in Wexford General Hospital.

The District Court heard how Justin Sinnott of The Foggy Dew Inn, South Main Street, Wexford presented himself at the hospital for treatment on March 3 last year.

However, he became abusive to nursing staff and refused to allow them complete the treatment.

He was arrested at A&E and brought to the garda station where a doctor was called to remove a cannula inserted at the hospital which remained in his arm.

Solicitor Eric Furlong told the court that his client – father of young children - had since been referred to a substance abuse team.

The substance in question was mainly alcohol, reckoned Mr Furlong, who added that Sinnott had undertaken 12 weeks of rehab.

The solicitor stressed that the defendant is a very different man when off the drink.

The court was told that Sinnott had a record of 68 past convictions.

The list included 13 counts of public order offences as well as criminal damage, assault, theft and motoring offences.

This was taken into account by Judge Kevin Staunton who described as thoroughly despicable the behaviour of those who make the life of A&E staff unbearable.

The judge marked a two month jail sentence though Sinnott was later freed on bail after serving notice of his intention to appeal the verdict.