A nurse who spat at a garda station hatch after being arrested for a public order offence has been told to “stay out of trouble” and engage with restorative justice services.
Theophilus Annum Tetty (31), of Mulgrave Street, Dún Laoghaire, appeared before Tallaght District Court charged with criminal damage, violent behaviour in a garda station and public order offences.
The court heard the incident began on 18 March last, shortly after 7.30pm, when Tetty came to garda attention on the N81 Tallaght Bypass.
He was alleged to have been intoxicated in a public place to an extent that gave rise to concerns for his safety and the safety of those around him, and that he used threatening and abusive behaviour, contrary to section 6 of the Public Order Act.
After being arrested for the public order offence and brought to Tallaght Garda Station, the court heard that he became aggressive and spat at the Perspex screen at the hatch of the public counter, causing damage. This led to two charges – one of criminal damage and another of violent behaviour in the station.
Defence counsel said that Tetty, who is originally from Ghana, was going through “an acute period of intense stress” which contributed to his behaviour during the incident.
The court heard that Tetty suffered a breakdown days later, before being admitted as a patient to a psychiatric unit, where he began receiving treatment and continues to engage with medical services.
Counsel said that Tetty works as a nurse and has no previous convictions. A conviction, the court was told, would likely cost him his job and could affect his right to remain in the State. He has not come to garda attention since March.
Judge Patricia McNamara noted Tetty’s clean record, his cooperation since the incident and the medical circumstances involved.
She told Tetty to link in with restorative justice services, ordered a full medical report and instructed him to pay €150 compensation to Tallaght Garda Station for the damage.
He was remanded on continuing bail to 16 January, when the court will review his progress.
“Stay out of trouble”, Judge McNamara warned him.