Derry Man jailed Christmas offences in Altnagelvin A&E

A man who was disorderly in the casualty department of Altnagelvin Hospital on Christmas Eve has been jailed today at Derry Magistrate’s Court.
John Paul Harkin (34) of 316, Bloomfield Park in Derry who has 129 previous convictions appeared at Derry Magistrate’s Court to face theft an disorderly charges.
On December 24 Harkin was arrested and taken to be examined by a medical officer at Altnagelvin Hospital.
While there he asked to go to the toilet and then tried to escape but was caught.
He then became abusive and had to be restrained by police.
Defence solicitor Mr. Don Mahoney said his client had been under the influence of drink and drugs and his offences were ‘ill conceived.’
The solicitor said that out of the 129 previous offences only three had been for theft.
The judge Joseph McChrisken said that it seemed Harkin was embarking on a new career.
The judge told the defendant: “You have a considerable criminal record and after this you will have a total of 134 convictions.”
He describing the theft of a charity box earlier in December, as ‘particularlay despicable’ he sentenced Harkin to three months in prison on that offence.
He also imposed a consecutive two month sentence for the disorderly in the hospital making a total of 5 months.