A Banbridge man who was disorderly and aggressive towards staff at Craigavon Area Hospital has been sentenced to five months in prison.
The 25-year-old’s barrister told court he received a five month sentence last month for a common assault, which related to “shouting at a GP”.
Patrick Braniff, of Iveagh Drive, pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour and assault on police at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday, via videolink from Maghaberry.
Prosecution outlined that on February 15, at 1.55am, police observed the defendant aggressively shouting at the front door of the A&E department of Craigavon Area Hospital.
Members of staff had removed Braniff from the premises as he was noted to be acting agitated and aggressively towards them.
Officers observed that the defendant appeared to be intoxicated. He was warned about his behaviour but continued to shout at a male nurse.
Branniff was subsequently restrained. During this he lashed out striking one officer on the arm which led to pain in the shoulders and back.
Defence barrister Conor Byrne stated: “You can see from his record, his previous conviction history, this is mostly due to the deterioration in his mental health due to his now accepted abuse of alcohol.
“This is a young man who has not accepted the severity of his addictions in the past.”
Mr Byrne revealed that Braniff had been sentenced to five months in prison last month for a common assault, which related to “shouting at a GP”.
He continued: “He was at A&E that night to have himself sectioned. Obviously due to his presentation and the Covid situation he did not approach it in an appropriate way.”
Deputy District Judge Chris Holmes stated: “Disorderly behaviour in a hospital is a classic. He was verbally and physically abusive, putting staff in fear whilst they were carrying out their daily work.
“If you behave this way in a hospital you are going to prison and you are going to prison for as long as I can send you. If he continues with behaviour like this he will stay in prison.”
Braniff was sentenced to five months in prison for the offences before the court.
