Devenish Bar
A YOUNG Enniskillen man with 68 previous convictions has been jailed for punching a police officer.
Jason Magerr (28) of Hillview Park appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday via videolink from Maghaberry charged with a number of different offences including assault on police and disorderly behaviour.
On April 12th, police were called to the Devenish Bar, Enniskillen following reports of two males fighting in the bar. When they arrived, police were told that Magerr had hit another man with a glass. He was arrested at the 24 hour shop, and the alleged victim refused to talk to police about the offence, and Magerr made a no comment interview.
In an earlier offence on March 10th, police were called to Pat’s Bar Enniskillen following reports that Magerr who is barred from the premises was attempting to gain entry and was causing a scene. Police then found him walking on Wellington Road, and he was taken to the police station, and kicked out at a police officer and hit his shin. When in the police cell, he smeared excretion on the walls and urinated in the cell. The cell required a deep clean which cost around £100.
Most recently around 4.20 on Sunday afternoon, April 15th, police on patrol on the Queen Elizabeth Road seen Magerr staggering down towards Johnston Bridge, and almost bumping into a member of the public.
The officers stopped Magerr, who they recognised, and he told them he’d been at a bar watching a football match. He was arrested, and as the officers tried to put handcuffs on him he began shouting and swearing, swinging his arms, and punched an officer in the cheek – resulting in a cut to the officer’s eye and a swollen cheek. Magerr continued to violently resist the police, in view of members of the public, and had to be physically restrained.
District judge Nigel Broderick considered Magerr’s extensive record stating that the defendant has 68 previous convictions. He added that he has major issues with alcohol and violence when drunk adding that he had been previously giving a chance but he was not able to avail of that.
He sentenced Magerr to three months in prison for offences on April 12th and March 10th with the sentence to run concurrently. Judge Broderick added that the offence and assault on police on April 15th was particularly vicious and violent and sentenced him to five months in jail. In total, Magerr was sentenced to eight months and ordered to pay the £25 defenders levy.
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