Sligo man (36) was putting HSE staff in fear banging doors
Artur Wojtyne, Maryville Hostel, Sligo had ten previous convictions, the court was told. He was charged with section six Public Order.
Sergeant Derek Butler outlined that on March 6 2024, at 6pm, in the HSE Markievicz House, Sligo, the mental health unit, an area was not open to the public. The defendant was walking up and down the corridor, banging on glass of a side door.
Staff enclosed themselves for their own safety. Staff were extremely upset with the defendant's behaviour.
They had to remain in the office until gardaí arrived.
The defendant had ten previous convictions.
Defending solicitor Mr Tom MacSharry said a Probation Report from a circuit court matter in January gave a good insight into his client.
Sgt Butler said that the defendant is a regular visitor to the mental health unit since his release from prison.
He has secure sheltered accommodation and is working.
He is clean and sober and is on the right path when he takes his medication.
Mr MacSharry said he is doing well and at the time of the offence, he was in the throes of psychosis.
Judge Sandra Murphy said that he has a previous conviction for a similar offence.
She said that from her perspective, he has a background of mental health issues with addiction which he needs to address.
Judge Murphy said it was a serious offence when it happened and that staff were in fear and he should not have been in the place he was in.
She said she wants an updated Probation Report.
She adjourned to June 19.
Mr MacSharry thanked her.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sunday World
a day ago
- Sunday World
Two men jailed for incident that led to Garda breaking his hand
Garda Mark Pender said both men were quite loud and aggressive, particularly Kevin Scanlan (29) who was kicking a door and telling him to 'f**k off.' Two Wicklow men have been sentenced to three months in prison each for obstructing a Garda called to a disturbance outside a house in Dunlavin, Co Wicklow three years ago. Kevin Scanlan (29) of Stoneacre, Crehelp, Dunlavin and Ross Coleborn (29) of Castledermot Road, Baltinglass, Co Wicklow both pleaded guilty to a charge of obstructing a peace officer in the execution of his duty at Fairgreen Manor, Dunlavin, on April 26, 2022, contrary to Section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994. A sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court heard Garda Mark Pender broke his hand during the incident. Gda Pender told the court that he was called to a house in Dunlavin where he discovered both accused parties in an intoxicated state trying to gain entry to a property. The court heard that Mr Scanlon was in a relationship with Mr Coleborn's sister, Claire, who lived in the house and who wanted both men to go away. Bray Courthouse, where Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court sits News in 90 Seconds - 3rd June 2025 Gda Pender said both men were quite loud and aggressive, particularly Mr Scanlan who was kicking a door and telling him to 'f**k off.' The garda who attended the scene on his own, described how a small scuffle broke out between the three of them when he tried to arrest Mr Scanlan. Gda Pender said he could not execute the arrest as he was being held by both men. The court heard Mr Scanlan had 51 previous convictions including six for public order offences, while Mr Coleborn had 26 previous convictions, the majority of which were for road traffic offences but one for assault. Gda Pender told counsel for the DPP, James Kelly BL, that Mr Scanlan was currently serving a prison sentence imposed by a court in Naas in relation to a conviction for criminal damage. He also confirmed that Mr Scanlan had been on bail at the time of the offence in Dunlavin. In a victim impact statement, Gda Pender said he did not blame the accused men that he had broken his hand during the incident but that he was disappointed he had been put in such a situation. Gda Pender said he knew both men but had never experienced such impudence and hostility from them before. He urged both men not to 'throw their lives away' after informing the court that they had issues with alcohol, cocaine and Valium. 'Something is going to give unless that's stopped,' said Gda Pender. Cross-examined by counsel for Mr Coleborn, Éamonn O'Moore BL, the witness acknowledged that the accused had written him a letter of apology. Mr O'Moore said Mr Coleborn was a father of one and mechanic who had significant issues with abuse of alcohol and drugs. Under cross-examination by barrister for Mr Scanlan, Damian Sheridan BL, Gda Pender said neither accused had come to his attention since the incident and both men looked 'much healthier.' Mr Sheridan said Mr Scanlan had a difficult family background but had displayed remorse and shame for the impact of his offending and drug-taking. He said the father of two was a trained chef who had a job offer for when he was released from prison. 'He is counting the days to get back to his family,' said Mr Sheridan. Counsel said the accused had been free from drugs for a period of three years and now realised 'the value of what he has in life.' Judge Patrick Quinn said striking a police officer during a scuffle was treated as a serious offence by the court. 'Interfering with a garda in uniform is a serious matter,' he remarked. The judge also observed that a probation report had assessed Mr Coleborn at being at a high risk of reoffending within the next 12 months and that he did not accept responsibility for his actions. Sentencing both men to three months in prison, Judge Quinn directed that Mr Scanlan's sentence should be served consecutively to his existing term of imprisonment.
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Irish Independent
Two Wicklow men jailed for incident that led to garda breaking hand
Two Wicklow men have been sentenced to three months in prison each for obstructing a garda called to a disturbance outside a house in Dunlavin, Co Wicklow three years ago. Kevin Scanlan (29) of Stoneacre, Crehelp, Dunlavin and Ross Coleborn (29) of Castledermot Road, Baltinglass, Co Wicklow both pleaded guilty to a charge of obstructing a peace officer in the execution of his duty at Fairgreen Manor, Dunlavin, on April 26, 2022, contrary to Section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994.
Irish Times
6 days ago
- Irish Times
Man charged over grossly offensive communication on TikTok about ‘slicing Irish babies'
A man was brought before a special sitting of Portlaoise District Court has been charged with offences relating to a message he allegedly posted on his social media page. Beniamin Petre of no fixed abode was charged that on May 24th at an unknown location in Dublin that he published 'a grossly offensive communication on TikTok social media about slicing Irish babies, kids and you,' with intent to cause harm, contrary to Section 4(1) and (3) of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020. He was further charged that on the same date at an unknown location in Dublin he used or engaged in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace, or hatred towards the people of Ireland, contrary to Section 6A of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994. Detective Garda Mark Russell said he arrested the 50-year old defendant on May 28th at Rathmiles, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois and conveyed him to Abbeyleix Garda Station where he was detained. READ MORE He said when charged and cautioned his reply to first charge was, 'I can't say anything, as you are not listening Mark.' In reply to the second cautioned charge he replied: 'I have nothing to say.' Det. Russell said that he was seeking directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions and that there may be further charges. Defending solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said that her client was not seeking bail and was consenting to be remanded in custody. Judge Andrew Cody remanded Mr Petre in custody to appear again at Portlaoise District Court on Thursday June 5th by video link. He also marked on the detention order that the defendant receive an urgent medical assessment while in custody.
