Brought dog to hospital, headbutted security man

A security guard who was head butted at the emergency department of Sligo University Hospital has said he has experienced anxiety and sleepless nights following the assault.

John Dennedy (30) of Cartron Heights was before Sligo District Court where he pleaded to the assault of Joe Dowdican, causing him harm.

Mr Dowdican, a security guard at the hospital, told the court on October 13th last a man entered the emergency department and said he had a dog tied up outside.

The security guard checked the CCTV cameras to view the dog’s location, however, when he left the viewing area the dog had been let loose and on returning to the Emergency Department he found the dog loose.

Mr Dowdican told the court the Alsation dog was loose with no muzzle or lead. He beckoned Dennedy towards him and asked him to remove the dog. Dennedy brought the dog outside but moved it near the back of an ambulance.

It was explained to him that the dog could not remain there. He put the dog along the entrance of the Emergency Department and he was again asked to bring the dog to a more appropriate area away from the hospital.

Dennedy said, ‘You don’t know who I am’, to the security guard.

Mr Dowdican said Dennedy had his hands in his pockets and suspected he had something. Dennedy came towards him hitting the security guard’s chest before pulling his head back and striking Mr Dowdican with a head-butt.

The security guard was put backwards with the impact and could feel a bruise immediately develop.

He raised his voice to alert members of staff to the incident, at which point Dennedy’s mother approached and told her son they would leave.

A plain clothed garda in the area then arrested Dennedy who was making his way out of the hospital. Before he was apprehended leaving he told the security guard, ‘I’ ll come back and finish you’.

In his victim impact statement Mr

Dowdican said he suffered psychologically, emotionally and financially. And said he was financially at a loss of €2,100.

He said it was clear he was attacked from CCTV and since the assault he had suffered sleepless nights and anxiety.

“The financial loss hit home at Christmas and my family life suffered. We come in to protect the sick, the public and staff, we don’t expect to be attacked.”

Representing Dennedy, solicitor Mr Mark Mullaney said his client regretted his behaviour and was very sorry for what happened. Mr Mullaney said his client immediately admitted his guilt in court.

Judge Kevin Kilrane adjourned the matter to March 26 th for sentencing.