A psychiatric nurse appeared before Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday charged with assaulting a mental health patient.
Patrick Maguire, from Tollymore Brae in Newcastle, faces four charges relating to his place of work at the Rosebrook Unit, Bluestone at Craigavon Area Hospital.
Making his first appearance in the dock, he was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm on an in-patient of the unit on October 27, last year.
The defendant is also alleged to have “ill-treated” the same patient, damaged dentures belonging to to the man, as well as attempting to pervert the course of justice by making an entry on a handover sheet on the same date.
The particulars of the case were not revealed at this sitting but a police officer confirmed that the charges could be connected to Maguire.
The psychiatric nurse, who applied for legal aid, is currently serving a suspension from work due to the ongoing case.
District Judge Bernie Kelly adjourned the case to determine whether legal aid will be granted or not.
Maguire is due back in court on February 2.
