Court hears there is no place for ‘problem prisoner’ to stay

A District Court has been told a mentally unwell man cannot stay at his family home due to safety concerns.

Paul Geraghty (42) of no fixed abode who has been charged with a number of offences and was due to appear before Sligo District Court last week.

The court was informed Geraghty was not in a position to appear in court and had engaged in a ‘dirty protest’ at Ballymote Garda Station before he was due to appear.

Consultant psychiatrist, Mr O’Keefe told the court he had arranged a bed for Geraghty at St Columba’s Hospital and believed the defendant had manic psychosis.

He informed the court if Geraghty was to be released on bail to attend hospital, strict bail conditions would have to be imposed in order to address the ‘serial dirty protests’ which he said were being done ‘often to get back at the state’.

Asked if Geraghty was fit to plead to matters, Mr O’Keefe said he was.

Geraghty was charged with 10 offences, including damaging property at Ballymote Garda Station on January 23rd last and again on January 12 th last, failure to comply with the direction of gardaí on December 11 th, along with threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour and intoxication, and a further failure to comply charge on November 28th last. He is also charged with intoxication at a service station in Manorhamilton on December 3rd last, along with possession of a knife. A charge of theft from Cara Pharmacy on December 10 th last is also before the court,

Kensi Geraghty, sister of the defendant told the court her brother could not stay at the family home due to safety concerns as a result of his mental health. The matter was adjourned to Thursday’s court to allow for an updated report.