A man from Kashmir who is now residing in Westport and who was threatening and abusive to staff in the accident and emergency department of Mayo General Hospital, where he said that he would shoot one of the nurses in the face, was sentenced to three months in prison on Wednesday.
It was outlined at Castlebar District Court by Garda John Paul Dunning, that on February 2 2011 at 8pm, he attended the hospital following a call that Mirza Ahmed, 8 Pearse Terrace, Westport, was abusive towards staff. Referring to a member of the hospital staff, Ahmed told the garda that the “bitch” was “a total racist”. On the way to the garda station the defendant said that “you can lock me up for 100 years”.
“Is this how you should deal with professionals in a hospital?” Judge Mary Devins asked him. Ahmed, who represented himself, told the court that he was on medication that day and apologised for his actions.
“So our country gives you social welfare and a medical card and when you go to the hospital you are abusive to nurses and staff in the hospital,” Judge Devins said. “Is that acceptable?” The defendant said that he was in severe pain that day. “A lot of people are in severe pain and dying and they don’t abuse people who care for them,” the judge said.
Ahmed had no previous convictions. Judge Devins convicted and fined him €300 and sentenced him to three months in prison.
