A man who shouted and swore after being taken to hospital intoxicated has been sentenced to three months in prison.
And referring to the 35-year-old’s continual use of heroin, a district judge said he was a drain with “no intention or desire to better himself”.
Kevin Thomas Brady, 35, of Marsden Terrace, Belfast, pleaded guilty to simple drunk, disorderly behaviour and resisting police at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Court heard that on October 18, at around 10.30pm, police spotted the defendant in an intoxicated state in Lurgan. He was described as being in such a state that he could not be left alone.
Brady was violent towards police and ambulance staff who arrived to assist him.
The defendant refused treatment but had to be conveyed to Craigavon Area Hospital.
Whilst there, he shouted and swore in the presence of other patients.
At around 6am, Brady attempted to leave the hospital and had to be restrained and handcuffed to remain.
Defence barrister Conor Lunny said the defendant had now entered a time of sobriety and wished to apologise for his actions.
District Judge Bernie Kelly stated: “Imagine people at the hospital there to support their sick relatives having to listen to Mr Brady and his tirade.
“Mr Brady is a drain; he has no intention or desire to better himself.”
Mr Lunny said that despite the defendant saying he still used heroin, he was engaging with probation.
District Judge Kelly commented: “He does this in spite of the fact that it is killing him.”
The barrister stated: “On this occasion, it was drink rather than drugs but Mr Brady is under no illusions of the court’s view of this sort of behaviour in a hospital.”
District Judge Kelly said: “The thing is that he can’t hack the withdrawal symptoms – well tough – he has no desire to get off the drug.
“As most of us know, this is one of the most addictive substances known to man and he doesn’t want off it.”
She told defendant: “There is no point in me lecturing. This drug is eating away at you, every time you take this drug it is slowly killing you, there are many faster ways to do this.
“Until you make changes in your life and show a desire to ditch this drug, there is no point in me releasing you.”
For the charges of disorderly behaviour and resisting police, the defendant was sentenced to three months in prison.
Brady was given a conditional discharge on the offence of simple drunk.
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