Thursday 29 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. 10135Public order offence (section four) · Co. Limerick · 29 Jan 2026

Deaf man fined for intoxication-related public order offence at Limerick hospital

Richard Coffey, a 38-year-old deaf man, was at the emergency department of University Hospital Limerick on 29 January 2026, and the court heard he was intoxicated. Hospital security called gardaí, and by the time they arrived he had left the department and was on St Nessan's Road in a highly intoxicated state. He was charged with a section four public order offence and appeared before Limerick District Court. A court report published on 8 April 2026 said Judge Patricia Harney convicted him and fined him €300.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Convicted8 Apr
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
When
The incident occurred on 29 January 2026.
Where
  • Richard Coffey was at the emergency department of University Hospital Limerick.
  • By the time gardaí arrived, Mr Coffey had left the emergency department and was on St Nessan's Road in a highly intoxicated state.
Cause
The court heard that Mr Coffey was intoxicated.
Investigation
Hospital security called gardaí.
Charges
Mr Coffey was charged with a section four public order offence.
In court
He appeared before Limerick District Court.
Sentence
Judge Patricia Harney convicted him and fined him €300, as reported on 8 April 2026.
Other details
  • Garda evidence said Mr Coffey was a danger to himself and others when apprehended.
  • Mr Coffey is deaf, and a sign language interpreter assisted the court proceedings.
  • Prosecuting Sergeant Denis Waters said Mr Coffey has 221 previous convictions.
  • Mr Coffey is 38 years old.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe court heard that the man was intoxicated. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereMr Coffey was at the emergency department at University Hospital Limerick. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whereBy the time gardaí came, Mr Coffey had left the emergency department and was highly intoxicated on St. Nessan’s Road. (limerickleader.ie)
  • investigationHospital security called for gardaí. (limerickleader.ie)
  • chargeHe was charged with a section four public order offence. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtHe appeared before Limerick District Court. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Patricia Harney convicted him and fined him €300. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherGarda evidence said Mr Coffey was a danger to himself and others when apprehended. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherThe man is deaf, and a sign language interpreter communicated the court proceedings to him. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherProsecuting Sergeant Denis Waters said Mr Coffey has 221 previous convictions. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 Apr2026
    Convictedlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Deaf man with 'difficulty in communicating' in court for drunkenness at Limerick hospital

    Court report of the conviction and €300 fine. Adds the defendant's name, age, the charge, the 221 previous convictions, and that a sign language interpreter assisted the proceedings.

    convicted, Richard Coffey, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Richard Coffey