Courts / Dublin / Report
Patient avoids jail for sexual assault of nurse at psychiatric hospital
Summary
Martin Joyce, 42, pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a nurse on 29 October 2020 while he was a voluntary inpatient at a Dublin psychiatric hospital. He was heavily medicated for a misdiagnosed schizophrenia, later re‑diagnosed with an emotionally unstable personality disorder. The assault occurred around 11 pm after Joyce had been transferred to the main ward. The nurse described Joyce staring at her, grabbing her breasts, sliding his hands down to her bottom, and then lunging at her. She activated her alarm and escaped along the corridor. Joyce later admitted the offence, expressed remorse and was found guilty. Judge Martin Nolan, hearing the case in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, imposed a fully suspended sentence, ordered Joyce to be of good behaviour for one year and to comply with Probation Services supervision. He also noted Joyce's previous seven convictions, including assault, malicious damage and failure to comply with Garda directions.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Patient avoids jail for sexual assault of nurse at psychiatric hospital. Charges or matters: sexually assaulting the woman as she went about her duties at a Dublin hospital on October 29, 2020. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- October 29, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2023-03-15 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: sexually assaulting the woman as she went about her duties at a Dublin hospital on October 29, 2020 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Places mentioned
- Ballybough House
- Dublin
- Dublin hospital
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
Stage Hearing Or Decision Violent Crime
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