St James’s Hospital logs nearly 4,000 violence and aggression cases in three years

Freedom-of-information records reveal that Dublin’s St James’s Hospital experienced 3,837 documented cases of violence or aggression between 2023 and 2025, the largest tally for any Irish hospital. Its security department recorded an even higher total of 5,271 interpersonal-safety incidents, reflecting all reports made to security staff. The majority of events affected staff (2,240), with patients involved in 1,433 cases and the public in 164.

Departments with the most reports included Medicine and Emergency, Surgery Anaesthesia and Critical Care, and the Department of Medicine for the Elderly, often involving patients with dementia or similar conditions. Incidents rose each year, peaking in 2024 with 1,770 reports, and the hospital says enhanced reporting procedures contributed to the increase. Management emphasizes a comprehensive safety strategy that includes 24-hour security, staff training, CCTV, risk assessments and collaboration with An Garda Síochána through the Hospital Watch programme.