Enniskillen Courthouse
A Donagh man who assaulted police officers, claimed he thought they had called to his home with “bad news” about one of his children.
Michael McDermott (48) of Alexander Rise was fined £100 for causing criminal damage to a police phone and lanyard and ordered to carry out 120 hours unpaid community service work. It was his first ever criminal offence.
On January 30 police were called to his home to enquire about the safety of McDermott’s wife as the couple had a row. They suggested to McDermott that he stay at a relative’s property in order to “defuse the situation.”
However he tried to “charge” through two officers and punched a constable in the chest. During the struggle he knocked equipment from an officer’s uniform. On being cautioned, he replied to a female officer, “This is all your fault you b***ch.” He denied causing damage to police property and made no reply to two charges of assaulting police.
The Public Prosecution told the Magistrates Court that the PSNI was not seeking any compensation for the damage.
Defence solicitor Brian Charity said McDermott, who is a “handyman”, had never been in court before and wished to apologise to the police officers for his actions. The defendant claimed he had an argument with his wife and he went into the livingroom and she went into the kitchen. He said that when police officers arrived at his door half an hour later, he feared the worst and thought they were bringing bad news about one of his children who are away from home. He also claimed they came into the home and did not say why they were there.
District Judge Liam McNally asked the solicitor, “Was he that worried he thumped a police constable and charged at them?”
Mr Charity stated that his client’s actions were borne out of “frustration.”
Imposing the fine and Community Service Order, District Judge Liam McNally told McDermott. “An assault on police can get you custody but I am taking into account your previous clear record and guilty plea.”
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