A west Clare woman has appeared in court charged with the assault of two paramedics after allegedly coughing in their direction in the back of an ambulance and telling them “I have the virus”.
At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Rebecca Blunnie (30) of Pella Rd, Kilrush appeared in connection with the alleged assault of paramedics, David Meaney and Frank Greaney at Dunogrogue, Killimer on April 10th.
Judge Patrick Durcan refused a bail application made by Ms Blunnie and remanded her in custody after Sgt Aiden Lonergan stated it will be alleged that Ms Blunnie coughed in the direction of two members of the National Ambulance Service and said “I have the virus”.
Sgt Lonergan stated that it will be alleged that Ms Blunnie ‘smirked’ after coughing in the direction of the two paramedics.
Sgt Lonergan stated that the alleged assault occurred in the “confined space” of the back of an ambulance.
Garda Patrick O’Neill told the court that the alleged assault “caused serious concern for the ambulance crew at the time”.
He stated: “They are already under immense pressure with the Covid 19 pandemic and this only added to it.”
Sgt Lonergan stated that as the alleged assault took place in a confined space, there was no opportunity for the ambulance crew to retreat or take evasive action.
From the body of the court, Ms Blunnie stated: “It was just a joke. I didn’t mean to do it” and later added “I don’t have the virus”.
Sgt Lonergan stated that the ambulance crew were called to the address in response to a call concerning Ms Blunnie’s state of intoxication and she was being treated by the ambulance crew in the back of the ambulance.
Sgt Lonergan stated that such a charge of common assault wouldn’t usually result in the State opposing bail but stated that in the context of the Covid 19 pandemic and the need to protect paramedics going about their work, the State was “robustly” opposing bail.
Sgt Lonergan stated that “these are different times” and alleged that Ms Blunnie carried out a very direct and deliberate action towards public servants by coughing in their direction.
Sgt Lonergan stated that the State’s evidence was very strong in the case including two statements taken from the two paramedics.
Solicitor for Ms Blunnie, Patrick Moylan stated that Ms Blunnie will turn up for the hearing of the case and that the State can impose any curfew conditions it wishes to impose on his client while on bail.
Refusing bail, Judge Durcan stated that after hearing the allegations against Ms Blunnie “this is an extremely serious matter”.
Judge Durcan stated that the alleged assault charges are “at the upper end of the scale and are very serious”.
Judge Durcan stated that the court had to take into account the specific circumstances of the alleged assault charges.
He stated: “We are currently living in an international health situation which has arisen as a result of the Coronavirus and domestically the effect it is having on individuals on their life and their health.”
He stated: “We are living in very serious times and it behoves a careful approach by all citizens in their manner of living and it also behoves a respect for and support for all public services.”
Judge Durcan remanded Ms Blunnie in custody to Ennis District Court to April 22nd to appear via video link.
