Cookstown man jailed after headbutting hospital worker

A 33-year-old man who head-butted a hospital porter was sentenced to four months in prison last Friday at Craigavon Magistrates Court.

He was Joseph Patrick O’Driscol, Molesworth Street, Cookstown and he appeared in court by way of videolink from Maghaberry prison.

He admitted unlawful assault on a male on July 3 this year.

The court heard police received a report that a porter at Craigavon Area Hospital had been assaulted. When they arrived they saw the defendant on the ground being restrained by six members of staff.

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Police spoke to the injured party who said O’Driscol had head-butted him on the side of the face.

During interview the defendant made no comment to any questions put to him. A solicitor representing O’Driscol said that on July 3 he had been staying in a hostel in Cookstown and had been assaulted by a person using a pick axe handle.

He was taken to Craigavon Area Hospital and was on the floor in a toilet cubicle when a member of staff pushed the door to get it. This aggravated O’Driscol and he reacted as he did. He would apologise for his behaviour. The solicitor added his client knew he has a drink problem. He accepted he needed to change and seek counselling.

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