Jury told surgeon accused of causing €40k of damage at Limerick hotel was 'out of control'

The trial of an orthopaedic surgeon accused of assaulting three people and causing nearly €40,000 in damage at a well-known Limerick hotel has heard that he was “out of control” on the night in question.

Dr Emmett Cullen, now aged 50, with an address at Mill Road, Corbally, Limerick has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to five charges arising from an incident at the Clayton Hotel on May 4, 2023.

In his opening address, Prosecuting Barrister John O’Sullivan, instructed by State Solicitor Padraig Mawe, told Limerick Circuit Court that the alleged assaults, on two elderly women and one man, were carried out on people who were “minding their own business” in the establishment.

A 19-minute compilation of CCTV footage was played before Judge Colin Daly, who was informed that the accused was a guest of the hotel on the night.

It is the prosecution's case that Mr Cullen was “out of control” and that this dispute was “generated” and “created” by the surgeon.

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Footage played in court shows the accused entering the hotel at approximately 10:20pm . Throughout the course of the incident, it is alleged that Mr Cullen swung a fire extinguisher at guests and patrons, threw chairs and cups, knocked over tables, broke light fixtures and pushed over a fridge, among others.

It is also alleged that he lunged at two children and caused injury to a relative of theirs, as well as two elderly women who were having drinks in the bar area. All were seen to by paramedics at the scene.

During this ordeal, Limerick Circuit Court heard that the accused picked up a second fire extinguisher. It is alleged that both extinguishers, which were continuously dispersed throughout the incident, were used to intimidate patrons.

In total, €39,259.56 in damage was caused to property at the Clayton Hotel on Steamboat Quay. It was confirmed that Mr Cullen has since paid the establishment a sum of money by way of compensation, which they were satisfied with.

The jury has been told the incident took place throughout the reception, bar, restaurant and kitchen areas of the hotel.

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On Tuesday, Mr O’Sullivan read out a number of eyewitness accounts from those present on the night, as well as members of gardaí, the armed response and a paramedic.

Among those were statements provided by a family which was staying in the hotel on May 4, 2023.

One of these witnesses, who was pregnant at the time, told gardaí that she heard a man shouting “you’re evil” in the direction of her daughter (7) and niece (14). She also stated that this man attempted to assault her but that there had been intervention from others in the meantime. Describing the accused as “going ballistic,” the witness disclosed that her daughter had wet herself from fear.

A member of the same family said in her statement that she recalled hearing the accused say, “when am I going to see my kids?”

During this incident, it is alleged that the accused swung the fire extinguisher at a male family member, who received a cut to his forearm.

The family then fled the hotel via the fire exit door, took refuge in a gated apartment area nearby and contacted gardaí.

Shortly later, two women, aged in their 70s, were having drinks in the bar area when they heard shouting. In their statements, the pair told gardaí they originally believed this was a joke until they came face-to-face with the accused.

Mr Cullen allegedly told the friends to move, which they did not. From here, it was said that he smashed the table they were sitting at, causing cuts to their fingers.

One of the witnesses said in her statement: “I thought the man was messing, I can't believe it.”

A night manager on-duty at the time told gardaí that Mr Cullen had booked in for a two-night stay. On May 3, there were no issues. The following day, when it is alleged the incident took place, he contacted staff seeking an upgrade to the penthouse suite. This was reserved at the time. The worker then encountered the accused later that night when he was wielding the fire extinguisher.

The night manager alleged that Mr Cullen was aggressive and threatened to “smash” his face while also asking, “where are my kids?”

Limerick Circuit Court heard that the accused was subdued by armed gardaí using “hard hand tactics” after the deployment of both a taser and pepper spray failed. He was eventually tackled to the ground and initially resisted arrest.

Detective Garda Gareth Walsh said Mr Cullen then became compliant, telling gardaí: “I’m sorry about this."

The arrest came at approximately 10:48pm and Emmett Cullen was detained under Section 12 of the Mental Health Act 2001 as it was gardaí’s belief that he was possibly having a psychotic episode. Mr Cullen was then conveyed to Henry Street Garda Station.

The orthopaedic surgeon is represented by Senior Counsel Anthony Sammon, with Aaron Desmond BL, as instructed by Herbert and Co Solicitors.

The trial continues at Limerick Circuit Court this Wednesday before Judge Colin Daly and a jury of six men and six women.