''Extremely bizarre'' behaviour
A-Drogheda man has been jailed for 2½ years after he stole an ambulance from outside a hospital and crashed it into a school bus in Co. Louth in 2014.
The sentence was handed down at Dundalk Circuit Court, after the defendant Cathal Doolin (50), of Glenmore Drive, Drogheda, pleaded guilty at to the following charges:
- Causing criminal damage to the ambulance, school bus and a security barrier.
- Dangerous driving.
- Driving without insurance.
Doolin had been a patient of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda for two-days prior to the theft.
The court heard he got into the front seat of the ambulance, sat outside the hospital's emergency department, and locked the doors.
He then drove into a security barrier and onto a public road.
Garda Inspector Declan Power said the ambulance “crossed a continuous white central line and collided practically head on with the coach.”
Apology
The court heard the defendant was severely alcohol dependent and was in the midst of a psychotic episode that can develop after being without alcohol for 24-hours, when the incident occurred.
Mr. Doolin is reportedly deeply embarrassed about what he did. And handed the court a letter of apology.
Judge Michael O’Shea described Mr. Doolin's behaviour as ''extremely bizarre.''
Both vehicles involved were damaged beyond repair.
