Man 'spits at nurse' and 'attacks police' at Mater Hospital in Belfast

Q Newsdesk

A 26 year old man's been arrested following an incident at the Mater Hospital in North Belfast this morning.

Police say the man head-butted an officer and then spat in a young nurse's face.

Another police officer was also allegedly attacked during the incident.

It's claimed the man told police that getting assaulted was "part of their job".

Speaking on PSNI North Belfast's Facebook page, a spokesperon said:

"At around 7.30 am this morning, a number of officers from Tennent Street went to the Mater hospital to provide assistance to someone who needed help."

"As my colleagues were entering the emergency department, a 26 year old male was walking out, shouting threats towards the nursing staff as he left."

"Police officers approached him and reminded him that there were sick people in the hospital and to calm down."

"This male then headbutted a Police officer on the nose, laughing saying that getting assaulted was "part of your job." Due to his aggressive behaviour, he was restrained to prevent him from causing any more injuries."

"Unfortunately for us and the nursing staff, he wasn't finished there. He then spat, hitting a young nurse directly in her face."

The spokesperson has described the alleged attack as "absolutely disgusting" and says it shouldn't be tolerated:

"Can you imagine going to work trying to help people, trying to make a living, doing your best to treat the sick - and someone thinks that it is acceptable to headbutt you or spit in your face and does all of this in a busy emergency department?"

"I don't know about you but I think that this is absolutely disgusting and should not be tolerated by anyone."

"The male is now in Police custody, arrested for assaulting two Police officers and a young nurse."

"I sincerely hope that when this matter comes before the court that the person responsible is dealt with robustly."

"We, or the hard working staff at the Mater should not have to put up with this."