A 63-year-old man who had to be removed from the accident and emergency ward of Letterkenny University Hospital by gardaí twice in a matter of hours has been jailed.
James Redden, with an address of Meenacladdy, Meelaragh, appeared in the dock of Letterkenny District Court on Monday. He is charged with numerous public order offences.
Garda Sergeant Jim Collins told the court how on January 6, 2026 at 6.57pm gardaí were called to Callaghan’s XL on Letterkenny Main Street to respond to a disturbance. When they arrived, they found Redden in a highly intoxicated state being aggressive to persons present.
Redden was arrested and was taken to Letterkenny Garda Station.
On January 8, 2026 at 2.10am, gardaí received a report of an intoxicated male causing a disturbance in the accident and emergency department of Letterkenny University Hospital. Redden was subsequently arrested.
Two days later, on January 10, 2026 at 2.11pm, Redden was found slumped in a chair at Bar One Betting. He was intoxicated and subsequently arrested.
The following day at 2.09pm, gardaí attended LUH after a report of a male causing a nuisance. Redden was found in a highly intoxicated state and had to be arrested for his own safety.
Elsewhere, Redden was arrested at LUH on January 16, 2026 at 2am for causing a disturbance and being a danger to himself. Later that evening, at 8.15pm, gardaí were again called to LUH to arrest an intoxicated Redden, who was unsteady on his feet.
On January 18, at 6.02pm, gardaí were called to Simpson’s Supermarket, Glencar, following a report that Redden was harassing customers. He was given a direction to leave but failed to do so. He told gardaí to “f**k off off” and that they had “no jurisdiction” over him, the court heard. He was arrested and conveyed to Letterkenny Garda Station.
Redden has 152 previous convictions and has been in custody since January 19.
Solicitor Patsy Gallagher told the court that Redden has been a client of his for many years.
“He went to the hospital for food and warmth. There is no violence to his crimes. This man has worked all his life. He had no support and found himself in a dark corner.”
Judge Emile Daly said she found the incidents at the accident and emergency department of LUH “concerning”.
“It is concerning for staff and for people who attend to experience this disruption, but I accept that he went there to keep warm.”
In all, Judge Daly sentenced Redden to two months in prison, consecutive. She backdated the sentence to January 19, 2026 when he went into custody on these matters. She took a number of other matters into consideration.
