GARDAÍ had to be called 25 times last year to deal with serious disturbances at the A&E unit of Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar, new figures show.

There were a further 34 'serious incidents', mostly in accident and emergency, which did not require garda intervention, Denis Mullins, services manager at the hospital revealed.

Addressing members of the Mayo Joint Policing Committee in Castlebar yesterday (Monday), Mr. Mullins emphasised that in the context of numbers visiting the A&E - 33,000 last year - the incidence of difficulties was relatively low.
Mr. Mullins complimented A&E staff for the way they had dealt with serious difficulties, as well as security staff. He also praised gardaí, saying they had responded quickly to security alerts at the hospital.
Councillor Joe Mellett said the fact the issue of security at A&E was on the agenda of the Joint Policing Committee was an indication of the society we now live in.

Below cost selling of drink and the combination of alcohol with drugs was causing serious problems, Councillor Mellett stated.
He added that in his own public house (Mellett’s of Swinford) he was refusing to sell the combination of Red Bull mixer to young customers with vodka any longer.
Councillor Al McDonnell said access to the A&E unit for members of the public at the moment was too easy and he called for an assessment unit separate to A&E where patients could be initially processed.
His proposal was seconded by Councillor Mellett.
Winding up the discussion, Mr. Mullins said visiting policy at the hospital was being reviewed at the moment. He would not seek to trivialise 59 incidents in one year. “One incident is one too many,” he stated.