Teen directed to pay compo to frontline workers
A 19-year-old who told a nurse at Cavan General Hospital “I’d love to rape your sister” and called a paramedic a “fat baldy c—t” has been ordered to pay the frontline workers €1,000 in compensation.
J.P. Murray with an address at a property in Fort Haven, Coolaney, Co Sligo, also spat blood in the custody area and a cell in Cavan Garda Station.
When he appeared before Judge Raymond Finnegan at Cavan District Court recently, he pleaded guilty to four charges including using threatening and abusive language or behaviour to the medical staff on the night of October 10 last and two counts of criminal damage for spitting blood in the garda station on October 11.
Murray was accompanied in court by his father.
His solicitor, Garrett Fortune, said: “He apologised that morning to gardaí and ambulance staff.”
Mr Fortune said the young man had to attend hospital on October 10 last because “he got his jaw broken by a third party, but he doesn’t know how or why”.
The solicitor said the teenager had developed problems with drink and drugs when his mother died.
“That doesn’t give him an excuse to go around abusing frontline staff,” Judge Finnegan replied to the solicitor. And to J.P. Murray he said: “They’re the same staff that probably looked after your mother when she was ill.”
“His father who is here believes it was out of character,” Murray’s solicitor said. “J.P. himself tells me it was a one-off.
“He has been engaging with the North-West Drink and Drugs Services.”
“They work in Castlerea too,” Judge Finnegan retorted, “I could give him 12 months.”
The judge ordered the defendant to pay €1,000 to the staff he insulted but his solicitor said it is difficult for the young man to raise money for compensation and his father has a disability.
“I’ll give him a bit of time,” Judge Finnegan said, “and if he doesn’t come up with it, he’ll get more time, but it won’t be at home”.
The judge remanded J.P. Murray on continuing bail until the district court sitting of June 11 to pay €1,000 in compensation and for finalisation.
A charge of public intoxication at Cavan General was struck out.
“If you don’t come up with the money, you’ll be going to Castlerea,” the judge forewarned the teenager.