Robert Mohan, of Trasna Way in Lisnaskea, was charged with assaulting and resisting police and disorderly behaviour on High Street in Enniskillen on March 18th.  

A contest hearing at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Wednesday heard that Mohan was heavily intoxicated when he had approached police officers at 3.15am on the date in question. He told them that he had given £30 to a group of people in return for a lift home. 

The sum of money was subsequently found on the defendant in a zipped pocket after a search who then kicked the car that he was to travel in. 

Mohan began to shout sectarian abuse at police, telling them: “You’re all Protestant bastards.” As police attempted to arrest the defendant, he kicked out with force, injuring a constable in the shin, and resisted as officers tried to handcuff him. The court heard that he continued to shout sectarian abuse which led to jeering from a nearby crowd. When interviewed and charged in relation to the offences, Mohan made no reply.

Defence barrister Liam McStay said that his client had “a lengthy and distinguished army career” but had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder a few years ago. The court was also told that Mohan now helps to care for his 92-year-old mother who is in a nursing home. 

Mr McStay told the court: “He went to the pub that night where he had rather too much to drink and lost track of time. He found himself in the company of people who had offered him a lift in return for money which is illegal. 

“He was upset about not getting a lift and indicated this to the police who came to his assistance. He didn’t get his point across very well in his intoxicated state and didn’t react to this well. In his interview with police, he told them that he was very sorry and that if he had said what he said, he accepted this. 

“He was upset in his intoxicated state and certainly doesn’t hold the views he expressed but didn’t give a valid explanation to police. He accepts that a constable was kicked in the context of the ongoing physical arrest. The offence was borne out of its own peculiar set of circumstances.”      

Deputy district judge, Laura Ievers ruled that Mohan had engaged in “unfortunate verbal and offensive conduct”.

She told Mohan: “This case is a very serious one. Police were going about their duties to help you and they should not be subjected to this level of verbal and physical abuse.” 

Judge Ievers said she would give the defendant a conditional discharge for 18 months. 

“It is the hope and expectation of this court that you will stay out of trouble for this period of time and the rest of your days,” the judge added. She also ordered that Mohan pay £100 compensation on the assault charge.