Peace bond placed on Kildare nursing home resident who assaulted two staff members

A male resident in a nursing home was placed on a peace bond for two years following two assaults on staff.

The man, who is aged in his 60s, appeared before substitute judge Nicola-Jane Andrews at Naas District Court on Thursday, July 11 last.

The resident was represented by solicitor David Powderly, and a representative from the nursing home, which is located in County Kildare, was also present in court on the date in question.

Mr Powderly’s client admitted to assaulting two separate staff workers in the nursing home on two separate occasions.

It was heard that the man has been residing in the nursing home for over a decade.

For the first incident, it was heard that the resident had pushed a female staff member in the kitchen area, and had pulled her hair.

It was heard that when he pushed the female worker, she hit her head off a nearby cooker, and one of her hair extensions fell out.

The man was represented by solicitor David Powderly (File photograph).

For the second incident, it was heard that he struck a male staff member 'several times' in the shoulder, and also broke his glasses.

In addition, Judge Andrews was told that the man picked up a golf club, threatened the male worker with it, and swung it at a nearby door, causing some damage to it.

According to Garda Sergeant David Hanrahan, the man has 'a number of previous convictions', including one previous conviction for assault.

Mr Powderly said that his client ‘makes no excuses for his behaviour’ and wanted to apologise to the court.

"Some medication he was on at the time may not have agreed with him, and it might have caused him to act out of character," Mr Powderly added.

Judge Andrews ultimately decided to place Mr Powderly’s client on a peace bond for two years.