Female resident attacked sheltered living staff member
Chris Donegan • Published 27 Oct 2012 11:30
A senior member of staff at a sheltered living unit locked himself in an
office when he was attacked by a female resident, Fermanagh Court has
been told.
The resident, 55-year-old Teresa Murphy, admitted assaulting the man on
July 21, and a female member of staff on July 6.
Deputy District Judge Terence Dunlop said attacks on staff in such
settings were "reprehensible" and "just not acceptable".
He praised the authors of a comprehensive pre-sentence probation report
and added that the apparatus in a magistrate's court for considering a
defendant's fitness to plead was "inadequate".
He conditionally discharged Murphy for two years, meaning she will pay
no penalty unless she re-offends during that time.
Outlining the background to the case, a prosecutor told the court that
just after 10.30pm on July 6, police were called to an on-going
disturbance at a sheltered living home at Knockmore Road, Derrygonnelly.
They spoke to a member of staff who told them she had been assaulted by
Murphy. She had scratch marks and redness to her forearm. Murphy was
interviewed and admitted the assault.
The prosecutor said that on July 21, police were again called to the
sheltered accommodation and spoke to a senior member of staff. He told
them Murphy had become aggressive towards him, trying to scratch him.
Due to the level of her aggression he locked himself in an office with
another member of staff.
Defence solicitor, Mr. Michael Fahy, said Murphy had lived in hospitals
and independent residential settings. She continued to have the support
of the staff. She had no previous convictions but there was another
matter pending.
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.
