‘Raving alcoholic’ assaulted a doctor after blackout following return from family funeral

A ‘RAVING ALCOHOLIC’ who had a blackout after he arrived home intoxicated from a family funeral abroad assaulted a doctor in the emergency department of a hospital and obstructed a nurse and security guard when he woke up, a court has heard.

Martin Lesley (50), who was described by a judge as an “absolute brat” was given a five month suspended sentence for the offences which happened at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.

He was warned by Judge John Coughlan at Drogheda District Court that if he even spits on the footpath within the next five months - he will serve the suspended sentence.

He was also ordered to hand over €500 for charity as part of his sentence.

The defendant, of Loughboy, Mell in Drogheda pleaded guilty to one count of assault and two counts of obstruction at A&E at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda on May 25 last year.

He has 21 previous convictions including two for assault and several for public order offences, the court heard.

Defence solicitor Dermot Monahan explained the defendant was drunk on the day as he had just returned from a family funeral in Germany.

“He had a blackout and woke up in the A&E department at the hospital. He had an issue with the doctor, a nurse and security guard,” said Mr Monahan.

Mr Monahan said the defendant is a “raving alcoholic” who is attending meetings and making efforts to deal with his alcohol problem.

“I have given him a mantra to say to friends who invite him for drinks to tell them “I am a raving alcoholic,” Mr Monahan told Judge Coughlan.

Imposing the five month suspended sentence, Judge Coughlan said: “I am going to solve his problems. This man is a brat.”