Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 2140Negligence (civil personal injury) · Co. Dublin

Care worker awarded €60,000 after being attacked by patient in Dublin's Mater hospital

Sean Spada, 32, a care worker at Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin, was awarded €60,000 in damages by Judge Jennifer O'Brien at the Circuit Civil Court after being assaulted by a violent patient in October 2020. The court found the HSE and the hospital negligent in their assessment of the patient's risk to staff in a one-to-one supervisory role.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court7 Mar
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatSean Spada, 32, of Clonshaugh Drive, Coolock, was a care worker at Mater hospital (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHe was left on his own to look after a violent patient known to have earlier committed self harm (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHe suffered significant injuries to his neck, shoulder and knee (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHe was directed to deal with the patient on a one-to-one basis (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe patient slammed the heavy toilet door against him (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe patient assaulted, battered and kicked him (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe patient threw two iron bars at him (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHe alleged the Mater hospital was negligent in assessing the patient's risk to staff (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHe was off work for a fortnight after the assault (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA medical report confirmed a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe attack occurred in October 2020 (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was heard at the Circuit Civil Court by Judge Jennifer O'Brien (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceJudge O'Brien awarded him €60,000 in damages against the HSE and Mater Misericordiae University Hospital (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceHe was awarded €20,000 for physical injuries (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceHe was awarded €40,000 for psychological injuries (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 7 Mar2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Care worker awarded €60,000 after being attacked by patient in Dublin’s Mater hospital

    Reports the Circuit Civil Court judgment awarding Sean Spada €60,000 in damages (€20,000 physical, €40,000 psychological) against the HSE and Mater Misericordiae University Hospital for negligence following his assault by a patient in October 2020.

    victim, Sean Spada, 32, male, non-irish (judged from name)Sean Spadasuspect, male