Bernadette Homan in Coffs Harbour court for Covid health order breaches

The 64-year-old nurse resisted arrest and was forced to the ground, breaking her sternum according to her lawyer, when she appeared in relation to two health order breaches in the CBD.

A 64-year-old nurse and foster carer resisted arrest and was eventually forced to the ground outside the Coffs Central shopping centre and handcuffed after refusing to wear a mask in the Australia Post shop last year.

It was her second Covid-related health order breach in just over a week.

Bernadette Frances Homan appeared in Coffs Harbour Local Court on Monday, May 30, facing charges in relation to the two separate incidents at offices in the Coffs Harbour CBD in August last year.

On August 24 Homan entered the Australia Post shop without a mask and was not able to provide proof of an exemption.

The Australia Post shop in Coffs Central.

She left the shop and by the time she returned police officers had been called.

According to her lawyer she was returning to the shop to show evidence (albeit questionable legal advice via a ‘google search’ he told the court) that she did not need to wear a mask.

When officers confronted her she refused to show evidence of an exemption or provide identification, according to police facts tendered to the court.

Homan remained uncooperative and non-compliant and when asked to walk out of the shopping centre she refused. According to police facts an officer took hold of her wrist gently and escorted her outside and sat her on a bench.

She was given another opportunity to provide identification and she refused and attempted to get up and leave several times but was advised she was under arrest.

When police took hold of her arms she tensed up and resisted and then was forcibly taken to the ground and handcuffed, according to police facts.

Homan’s lawyer told the court she sustained a broken sternum during the arrest and a medical certificate tendered to the court outlined a ‘suspect nondisplaced mid sternal fracture’ and ‘mildly hyperinflated lungs’.

Police facts also stated that ‘throughout the whole ordeal’ she kept saying ‘I do not consent’.

A character reference from funeral operator Victor Rullis was tendered to the court saying the behaviour was out of character and that ‘she would not hurt a fly’.

Homan works with Victor Rullis Funeral Services through her own business Release Doves which releases doves at funerals, weddings and other events.

A doctor who has worked with her for many years also provided a reference saying her care for patients is exemplary and that she has strong views on the possible long-term adverse effects of Covid vaccines and is an ‘advocate for upholding freedom of choice’.

Prior to the Australia Post incident Homan had entered the Service NSW office in Gordon Street Coffs Harbour on August 18 not wearing a mask.

A reference tendered to the court also showed she had been a foster carer with Uniting Mid North Coast continuously since August 2011.

In relation to the Australia Post incident she was convicted and fined $550 for failing to comply with a Covid-related Public Health Order direction by not wearing a mask in public, carrying one or providing an exemption.

In relation to the charge of resisting an officer in the execution of duty Magistrate Ian Rodgers found her guilty but without proceeding to conviction. Mr Rodgers described the police response as “relatively extreme”.

Prior to the Australia Post incident Homan had entered the Service NSW office in Gordon Street Coffs Harbour on August 18 not wearing a mask.

According to documents tendered to the court she became argumentative and demanded to speak to the manager.

In relation to this incident she was convicted and fined $550 for failing to comply with the Covid-related Public Health Order.