It is the second alleged assault to have taken place in the hospital’s A&E department in recent weeks

The A&E entrance to Our Lady of Lourdes hospital in Drogheda, Co Louth(Image: Ciara Wilkinson)

Gardai are investigating an attack on a staff member at the Accident and Emergency Department of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.

It happened in the early hours of last Monday morning while A&E was packed with patients.

Although the victim was not badly hurt medical staff are deeply angry and shocked by the incident.

It is the second alleged assault to have taken place in recent weeks.

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In that incident a nurse and a member of the cleaning staff were assaulted by a patient with psychiatric issues.

A hospital staff member said: ”Our 24 hour security has been restored to A&E but we are constantly worried about our safety.

“It is hard enough to do this job without patients getting angry and then turning on us.”

The Lourdes Hospital A&E has been over run with patients in the past week because of the Winter flu epidemic.

The HSE has issued a public statement asking the public to stay away from the Lourdes Hospital which covers the North-East unless their medical condition was life threatening .

In a statement the Gardai said: ”Gardai received a report of an assault at a premises in Moneymore, Drogheda , Co Louth which occurred at 1.25am on 9th February, 2026.

“No arrests have been made at this time and and enquiries are ongoing.”

Twenty four hour security at the Lourdes accident and emergency department had been cut to 12 day time hours last Autumn due to financial cutbacks.

However, this was restored following the last violent incident a few weeks ago.

The HSE says the safety of their staff is paramount and abusive and violent behaviour will not be tolerated.

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