Patient assaulted nurses and swung brush at Gardai when things did not 'go her way'

Deborah Orr (28) slapped nurses and forced her way past and threatened to hit a doctor in the incidents after things did not “go her way,” a court has heard.

She also swung a sweeping brush at gardaí and damaged three patrol cars when she kicked them.

Judge Paula Murphy adjourned her case for the production of a probation report when she appeared in Dublin District Court.

Orr, of Conyngham Road, Dublin 8, pleaded guilty to assault, threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour, criminal damage and other charges in incidents this year.

Garda Sergeant Zita Woods said on April 15, a nurse was attending to Orr in the public area at the Mater Hospital emergency department when the accused hit her on the arm and attempted to strike her face.

Orr assaulted a doctor at the same A&E on April 18. The court heard she forcibly pushed past and threatened to hit the doctor who was trying to treat her. Orr fled the hospital and was later charged.

The accused was also arrested for assaulting staff at St James’s Hospital on April 25. When gardaí arrived they saw her slapping them. There were no injuries in the assaults.

Orr was threatening members of the public and staff in the Mater on April 22, and attempted to punch and kick an investigating garda.

She had to be physically restrained, the court heard.

On April 18, Orr swung a sweeping brush at gardaí on Fitzgibbon Street, where she was acting aggressively at 4.50am.

She caused damage to a waste bin at Fitzgibbon Street garda station and kicked three official vehicles, causing €600 damage. Orr was found with a sharply pointed food peeler in her bag when searched.

On April 23, gardaí were called to North Circular Road, where Orr was threatening to “go get a knife to members of the public”. She was arrested but no knife was found.

The court heard the accused had mental health issues and would go to hospital wishing to be sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

Her behaviour became unsavoury when things did not go her way, defence solicitor Paddy McGarry said.