Friday 30 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. 13945Assault causing harm · Co. Kilkenny · 23 Dec 2023

Woman jailed for eight months over hospital staff assault in Kilkenny

Margaret Doran was convicted of assault causing harm after she put her hands around the neck of a hospital staff member in the resuscitation room of St Luke's hospital, Kilkenny, on 23 December 2023, leaving marks, scratches and neck pain. Her solicitor said she had been suffering from a drug-induced psychosis at the time, and she was admitted to the hospital's Department of Psychiatry later that day. The sources do not give the date of her conviction. In April 2025, Judge Geraldine Carthy at Kilkenny District Court sentenced Doran to eight months in prison.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced17 Apr
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Margaret Doran was convicted of assault causing harm.
  • Doran put her hands around the injured party's neck, leaving marks, scratches and neck pain.
Where
The assault took place in the resuscitation room of St Luke's hospital, Kilkenny.
When
  • The assault occurred on 23 December 2023.
  • The sentencing was reported in articles dated 17 April 2025 and 18 April 2025.
Cause
Doran's solicitor said she had been suffering from a drug-induced psychosis at the time of the assault.
In court
Judge Geraldine Carthy handed down sentence at Kilkenny District Court.
Sentence
  • Doran was sentenced to eight months in prison.
  • The judge did not consider a Community Service Order appropriate.
Other details
  • The judge described the assault as probably one of the most serious matters to come before the court.
  • The injured party was very distressed by the incident and by having to give evidence in court.
  • The aggravating factors were the location of the assault and the need for a bench warrant to bring Doran to court for sentencing.
  • Doran was admitted to the hospital's Department of Psychiatry later on the day of the incident.
  • Recognisance fixed in the event of an appeal includes no contact with the injured party, signing on at a garda station, good behaviour and being intoxicant free.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMargaret Doran was convicted of assault causing harm. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whatDoran put her hands around the injured party's neck, leaving marks, scratches and neck pain. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whereThe assault took place in the resuscitation room of St Luke's hospital. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whenThe assault occurred on 23 December 2023. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • causeDoran's solicitor said she had been suffering from a drug-induced psychosis at the time of the assault. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtJudge Geraldine Carthy was handing down sentence at Kilkenny District Court. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentenceDoran was sentenced to eight months in prison. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe judge described the assault as probably one of the most serious matters to come before the court. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe injured party was very distressed by the incident and by having to give evidence in court. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe aggravating factors were the location of the assault and the need for a bench warrant to bring Doran to court for sentencing. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe judge did not consider a Community Service Order appropriate. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherDoran was admitted to the hospital's Department of Psychiatry later on the day of the incident. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherRecognisance was fixed in the event of an appeal, including conditions that Doran have no contact with the injured party, sign on at a garda station, be of good behaviour and be intoxicant free. (kilkennypeople.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 17 Apr2025
    Sentencedkilkennypeople.ie, first report
    'Serious matter' - 'Distressing' Kilkenny hospital assault

    Sentencing report. Gives the location, the injuries, the judge's remarks, the eight-month sentence, the solicitor's account of drug-induced psychosis, and the recognisance conditions fixed in case of appeal.

    convicted, Margaret Doran, female, named, irish (judged from name)Margaret Doranvictim, female