Owen Mulligan was ‘very abusive’ towards doctor, court hears

Former Tyrone footballer Owen Mulligan was "very abusive" towards a doctor who was called to a garda station to take a sample when he was under arrest on suspicion of drink driving, Listowel District Court heard on Thursday.

The court heard that Mr Mulligan didn’t think a GP who arrived at Listowel Garda Station, was a doctor.

Mr Mulligan (34), of Church Street, Cookstown, Tyrone, is contesting a charge of refusing to provide a blood or urine sample when ordered to do so by a garda.

He was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving under the Road Traffic Acts on August 29th, 2014. At Listowel Garda station, he was asked by Garda Piaras Ferriter to give a sample of blood or urine to a designated doctor, Dr John Halkett.

Mr Mulligan’s solicitor John O’Dwyer asked his client why he failed in his attempt to give a breath sample on the night.

Mr Mulligan said he had broken three or four ribs in a recent game.

Medical evidence was handed in to court of how he had sustained fractured ribs the week before his arrest in Listowel.

Supt Dan Keane, prosecuting, put it to Mr Mulligan that he had never told the gardaí or Dr Halkett he was carrying an injury.

However Mr Mulligan said: “I distinctly remember saying it.”

Asked by Supt Keane if he accepted he had drink taken Mr Mulligan, who the court heard had been attending a wedding, said: “ I had a glass of wine with my meal.”

Judge James O’ Connor asked him why he did not provide a blood or urine sample, and Mr Mulligan said: “I didn’t think he was a doctor.”

Earlier Dr Halkett said he showed Mr Mulligan his headed notepaper to show he was a doctor. Mr Mulligan was inebriated, he felt, adding he wouldn’t like to have been driven by him.

Garda Ferriter said Mr Mulligan “was very abusive and aggressive towards the doctor on the night in question.”

Judge James O’Connor adjourned the matter for decision to November 5th.