A 30-YEAR-OLD man who admitted shouting and swearing in a hospital emergency department last summer has been warned that courts take a “very dim view” of such behaviour.

Killian Lee McMackin, of Main Street, Lisnaskea, pleaded guilty to using disorderly behaviour in a public place, namely South West Acute Hospital, and resisting arrest on August 10, 2017.

Fermanagh Magistrates Court heard that, at 10.45pm on August 10 last year, police attended South West Acute Hospital after receiving a report of a male acting aggressively in the emergency department.

Upon arrival, police observed that the defendant was “shouting and swearing” with around 20 people in the area.

After he was warned about his behaviour, McMackin resisted attempts to restrain him by refusing to put his arms behind his back and clenching his fists.

Following a further warning, the defendant continued to shout and swear. He kicked out as officers attempted to apply limb restraints.

During a subsequent interview, he admitted being disorderly in the hospital.

Defending solicitor, Clive Neville, told the court that his client was currently out on High Court bail and one of the conditions of this was to seek help for his drug taking.

“He’s doing that,” Mr. Neville said.

Explaining the background to the incident last summer, the solicitor said that McMackin had broken up with his partner and had descended into a cycle of offending as a result of his addiction to prescription drugs.

In mitigation, Mr. Neville said the defendant’s behaviour had improved “significantly” since he had been granted High Court bail.

District judge Nigel Broderick observed that the defendant had been offered an appointment with the Community Addictions Team (CAT) on April 27.

The judge said he was proposing to adjourn the matter to see how McMackin would get on with the CAT.

Mr. Broderick warned the defendant that the courts took a “very dim view” of anyone acting in a disorderly fashion in a hospital and the offence would normally attract a custodial sentence.

However, instead of sending McMackin directly to prison, the judge said he would adjourn the case until Monday, June 25 for an addendum pre-sentence report from Probation.