Drunk and disorderly at Portlaoise Hospital

A man who was drunk and disorderly at Portlaoise Hospital told responding gardaí to “f off” and “go arrest” real criminals. 

John Dervin (43) of Room 1, Holyhead Hostel, Gardiner Street, Dublin admitted being intoxicated and engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour at the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise on May 23 last.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said garda responded to reports of a highly intoxicated male at the hospital at 5.20pm on the date in question. There the defendant told them to “f off and arrest real criminals” before his arrest, said Sgt Kirby. He said the man had four previous convictions. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client wasn’t present as he was in hospital in Galway. She said he had pleaded guilty at a previous sitting of Portlaoise District Court. 

“He has an alcohol addiction and also has been relying on the mental health services,” she said. She said the man had previously worked in hospitality and in a bookstore and  she had a letter to show the man had engaged with services.

Judge Susan Fay fined the man €200 for engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour and she took the intoxication charge into consideration.