Man who donned doctor’s coat to steal from hospital is jailed

By Fiona Ferguson

A burglar who wore a doctor’s coat while attempting to wheel a trolley load of stolen staff belongings out of the radiology department of the Mater Hospital has been jailed.

Paul Meehan (45), who has 195 previous convictions, had walked in through an open door at the hospital during last year’s lockdown before donning the doctors coat and a phlebotomists name tag.

He filled a trolley with personal belongings from the staff room before being challenged by security.

Meehan of Blessington Street, Dublin 1 pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to burglary at the Mater Hospital on May 5, 2020. His convictions include 22 previous for burglary.

Garda Hugh O’Connor told Maddie Grant BL, prosecuting, that security staff stopped Meehan close to the entrance of the Mater Hospital pushing a trolley with bin bags filled with goods.

He ran off with one bag when confronted, abandoning the trolley.

Security staff caught up with him and when gardai arrived it was apparent he was not a member of staff. The side entrance to the hospital had been open for building work and Meehan was able to walk in.

The bags were found to contain personal property of two staff members taken from their lockers including an Apple computer, CD player, doctors coats, bed clothes, Chanel perfume, glasses, keys and Fit Bits.

Gda O’Connor said Meehan was arrested and back at the station he was aggressive and hostile.

He said Meehan punched at a plexiglass screen that had been erected in the interview room and spat on the floor.

Nicolca Cox BL, defending, said Meehan has suffered with mental health difficulties over a significant time which are exacerbated by his homelessness situation and drug use.

She submitted that his guilty plea was a valuable one in the current climate where healthcare workers were not required to spend time coming to court.

Judge Martin Nolan said Meehan had spotted an opportunity to enter the hospital, procured a trolley and tried to escape but had been easily spotted. He noted his history of mental health issues and that he “seems to be ok” when he takes his medication.

He said it was “not the worst burglary but still a burglary” and imposed a two and a half year sentence suspending the final year on conditions.