A man who falsely imprisoned and assaulted ambulance staff has been jailed for three-and-a-half years at Mullingar Circuit Court.
Judge Anthony Hunt said people who go to work in the frontline are entitled to look to the courts for protection and highlighted that emergency staff cannot refuse to deal with a patient.
He made his comments as he jailed Paul Greene, 48, of Sarsfield Square, Athlone, who also produced a knife when two paramedics answered a call to his brother Martin on 18 April 2010.
Det Sgt Eamon Curley said that when they began to assist Martin Greene, who was suffering aches and pains, Paul Greene shouted at them and demanded they give the medication to him.
He pushed the female paramedic, who was 14 weeks pregnant, and despite being asked not to interfere with their work, he continued to be aggressive, blocking their path as they tried to leave and threatening them with a knife.
They escaped as the brothers got into a physical struggle, during which Paul Greene stabbed Martin Greene, leaving him with a one-inch laceration to his face.
Greene, who has 51 previous convictions, was first arrested at the age of 11 and is a chronic alcoholic who has spent more than 20 years in prison.
In victim impact statements, the paramedics both described how they are fearful in their jobs, and no longer have initial trust for patients.
The woman described the incident as traumatic, and when she answers a call, always immediately checks that there is an escape route.
Ms Delia Flynn SC said her client had no memory of the incident, but regretted it, and was under the influence of prescribed drugs and vodka at the time.
His actions were not pre-meditated, she said, but accepted the incident was "very scary" for the paramedics.
Judge Hunt said the emergency responders are now unable to go about their work with the same ease as before.
He described Greene's life as "sad and wasted" and said he has severe problems that will require Probation Service intervention.
Incidents involving the emergency services have to be taken very seriously, he said, jailing Greene for three-and-a-half years on the false imprisonment and assault charges.
A consecutive two-year sentence for a robbery he committed in Longford while on bail was suspended for three years to allow him engage with the Probation Service.
