Mother and daughter fined after fighting with each other at hospital Emergency Department

Linda Melly and Vinna Rolston were charged with engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour at Sligo University Hospital on June 7, 2025. Melly was in the emergency department when Rolston entered her cubicle and a fight broke out between them. Several security members were called to separate the pair, and the incident was witnessed by members of the public and hospital staff and captured on CCTV. The court heard that Melly had no previous convictions and had received the Probation of Offenders Act within the last year, while Rolston had one previous conviction. The judge said the behaviour was disgraceful and unsuitable for charitable donation, and noted the aggravating factor that it occurred in a hospital.

"Sergeant Derek Butler told the court that Melly was in the emergency department when her mother entered her cubicle and a fight broke out between them. The mother and daughter fought each other ferociously he said and several security members were called to separate the pair. Members of the public and hospital staff saw the fight break out and the incident was captured on CCTV."

"Judge Cunningham said that it must have been a very frightening experience for all bystanders at the hospital. Mr Anderson said that they were not people of means and asked Judge Cunningham if she would consider directing them to contribute to a charity. "Absolutely not" was the reply from Judge Cunningham. She added that people attended the hospital for help and it was not something staff from the hospital should have to deal with."

"Judge Cunningham continued that it was absolutely disgraceful behaviour from both parties and that it was absolutely not suitable for charitable donation. Mr Anderson asked Judge Cunningham to be as lenient as possible. Judge Cunningham said that an aggravating factor was that it took place in a hospital. She noted that Rolston had one previous conviction and that Melly received the Probation of Offenders Act within the last year."

Read at Irish Independent