Enniskillen Court House
A 28-year-old alcoholic who was arrested just hours after being released from prison and attacked police officers has claimed he is ashamed of his behaviour.
Patrick James John McDonagh, of Sallys Wood, Irvinestown, admitted to a litany of offences when he appeared in the dock at Enniskillen Magistrates Court.
He was convicted of two counts of disorderly behaviour, two assaults on police and one count of simple drunk.
The accused was handed a community service order of 60 hours and given a conditional discharge of two years.
A prosecutor outlined to the court that on May 23, this year, at about 12.25am, police spotted McDonagh standing outside the Devenish Bar on Darling Street where he was shouting abuse and arguing with door staff to get in.
Officers could hear that McDonagh was being refused entry by the staff, however he continued to shout for three or four minutes.
He then ran about 10 yards and pushed past a male to get to other entrance and went into the hall where the officers saw him push a member of staff.
McDonagh was restrained by the door staff and he was arrested for disorderly behaviour.
Throughout this he continued to shout abuse at the police officer and in the direction of the general public on the street.
The defendant was very drunk at the time of the arrest.
Then later that same day at 2.20pm, police were called to a property where they saw the defendant lying on the ground covered in blood which was coming from a cut on his wrist. McDonagh suffered the laceration after falling on a beer bottle at a property. He also suffered abrasions on his back and side and was very drunk.
The paramedics at the scene were asked to stay in the area in case anything further happened while he was getting treatment because he was so aggressive.
He was taken to the accident and emergency department at the SWAH and while he was getting seen by a triage nurse, the defendant became erratic and aggressive and challenged to fight with someone.
With police assistance he was helped up to the hospital bed where he started clenching his fists and grinding his teeth. He then got off the bed and tried to hit a police officer before he fell on the wet ground and hit his head off the sink.
He then kicked two officers, one to the hand and the other to the body armour and tried to grab both officers covering them in his blood.
He received the treatment to his wrist and was arrested for the offence but struggled with police. While en route to Enniskillen Police Station, he bit a police officer’s finger.
The court also heard that on February 2, at around 6.30pm, a drunk McDonagh wearing a combat jacket was seen trying to thumb a lift before he staggered out into traffic.
Police than received another report that he was being aggressive towards staff in McDonald’s restaurant.
Officers went to McDonalds where they found the defendant who had only been released from prison that day. Staff did not want to make a statement and he was removed from their premises.
McDonagh was spoken to about staggering down Irvinestown Road where he was unsteady on his feet and eyes were glazed. He was subsequently arrested for being drunk on a public road.
Defence solicitor Conor Heaney described his offences as “unsavoury”.
He said his client was “ashamed” and “embarrassed” that he reacted this way.
He added how McDonagh was close to his grandmother who received care and treatment at the same hospital but has since passed away.
“He has nothing but admiration for staff in a very difficult job and he did not make it any easier. He expresses particular regard in relation to that incident,” he added.
“He is no stranger to criminal courts. The defendant has had some meaningful and useful assistance from a five-day detox programme and is also in a weekly cycle with Solace in Irvinestown.
“He has very little recollection of the incident and is a registered alcoholic and is on anti-depressants and is on pain killers. For the first time there are signs he is tackling his difficulties with alcohol.”
While a probation officer recommended a deferred sentence for McDonagh, Deputy District Judge Terence Dunlop said the offences did not “attract that”.
“I accept there is remorse and that you are battling against your alcohol addiction. I want you to build up a sense of purpose in your life.”
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