Woman assaulted a nursing assistant

Before District Judge Barney McElholm was Amanda Hegarty, whose address was given as Rossdowney Avene. She pleaded guilty to common assault and criminal damage on September 11, last year.

The court was told the injured party was off work for some time as a result of the assault and was highly upset when she reported the matter to police.

She was treating Hegarty when there was a verbal altercation. The defendant told the nursing assistant “you are no f****** nurse. You need to go and learn some f****** manners”.

Hegarty then pushed the injured party to the shoulder, causing her to bang into a wall.

The injured party went to a nurses station and locked the door because she was fearful for her safety.

At this point Hegarty smashed a glass observation panel and the nursing assistant and another nurse had to take it off her to prevent her from harming herself.

A short time later the fire alarm sounded because Hegarty had set fire to tissues. When the nursing assistant approached the patient, Hegarty sprayed a can of deodorant into her eyes.

Defence solicitor Mark Reid told the court his client had a very troubled history.

He said that she has apologised to the nursing assistant for her behaviour.

District Judge McElholm adjourned sentencing until April 17 for a Probation pre-sentence report to be compiled.