Two men have received jail sentences in a Castlebar court for crashing a stolen car and then abusing hospital staff while they were being treated at the A&E department at Mayo General Hospital.
Michael Maughan, Moneen Campsite, and Owen McDonagh, 35 Cois Abhainn, came before Judge Mary Devins in Castlebar District Court on Wednesday.
The court heard Owen McDonagh was at the TF Royal Hotel on October 27 2014 when he took a jacket belonging to a staff member from the reception area.
He found cars keys in the pocket and used them to take the car they matched.
Michael Maughan was a passenger in this car on October 28 when McDonagh lost control of the vehicle at the Cahill Duffy Roundabout and crashed into a garden wall on Spencer Street.
Both men were brought by ambulance to Mayo General Hospital.
Judge Devins heard the men were abusive towards staff at the emergency room in the hospital.
At one point, McDonagh lashed out with his foot while lying on a hospital trolley and struck Garda John Murphy.
Subsequently, at Castlebar Garda Station, McDonagh failed to provide a specimen for alcohol testing.
Both men pleaded guilty to the charges.
Alcohol
The court heard Owen McDonagh is currently serving a prison sentence for assault. Maughan is also in custody awaiting sentencing on other more serious matters at Castlebar Ciruit Criminal Court.
Solicitor for Maughan, Mr James Ward, said his client has “very significant difficulties with alcohal and drug use”.
He is seeking treatment for his issues in prison.
Solicitor for McDonagh, Mr Gary Mulcrhone, said the 21-year-old suffers from emotionally unstable personality disorder, which is exacerbated by drug and alcohol use.
Mr Mulchrone said his client was doing well in prison and he was a “different person” when he was on proper medication and abstaining from alcohol and drugs.
Judge Devins fined Maughan, who has seven previous convictions, a total of €500, and sentenced him to six months in prison for being a passenger in a stolen vehicle and for breaching the public order act at Mayo General Hospital. The judge also banned him from driving for two years.
The judge fined McDonagh, who has eight previous convictions, €1,750 in total, and sentenced him to 12 months in prison for the unlawful taking of a vehicle, driving without insurance, assaulting a garda, failing to provide a specimen, and using threatening, insulting, and abusive behaviour.
