Man threatened UHW staff with syringe after being removed from A&E
The incident happened at UHW in 2015.
A man threatened security with a syringe at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) over a decade ago.
Daniel Phelan (45), of Abbeylands, Ferrybank appeared at Waterford Courthouse before Judge Eugene O’Kelly over the matter.
Defence counsel Brian P. O’Shea told the Court that his client was suffering from "dermatological issues" on his head and was seeking psychological help.
The Court heard that Phelan was removed from the Accident and Emergency department at around 9pm on January 12, 2015. It is understood that he emptied his pockets, took out a syringe and threatened the security guard. Gardaí were called to UHW and detained Phelan.
Phelan told the Court that on the day of the offence, he wanted to be admitted to "get my head sorted".
He said: “If I was admitted I wouldn’t be sitting here today.”
In the victim impact statement written in October 2025, the security guard said: “In 20 years in UHW I’ve never dealt with a situation like I did with Daniel Phelan and I haven’t since. It’s sad that there’s people who think they can act like Daniel Phelan.”
The man worked 12-hour shifts, seven days a week, followed by a rest week. After the syringe threat, his wife wanted him to leave his job because she was worried about his safety.
A High Court judicial review was carried out on the charge to establish mens rea, which led to the delay between the incident and its finalisation. The Judge told Mr O’Shea: “Well it wasn’t the State that brought this objection.”
Phelan has 42 previous convictions, including offences related to criminal damage, possession of drugs and assault. Mr O’Shea told Judge O’Kelly that his client had not received a conviction in the last decade and was "self-managing" his issues with substance misuse and addiction.
Judge O’Kelly agreed to finalise the matter in 12 months, stating: “He’s got one year to prove himself that he has changed.”
Judge O’Kelly told Phelan: “Just behave yourself.”
