AN 52-YEAR-OLD man who repeatedly called 999 without an emergency to report, even after police called to his home and told him to stop, has been given community service.
Aidan Murphy of Sligo Road, Enniskillen appeared at court on Monday charged with persistent improper use of a public electronic communications network for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety, two counts of assaulting police, and one count of resisting police.
The charges relate to April 7 when a series of 999 calls were made by Murphy, but there was no emergency. During these calls Murphy was said to have become verbally abusive to the operators.
Police were called and when they arrived at Murphy’s home he was drunk and told them there was no emergency. The officers told the defendant to stop calling the emergency number, however he persisted calling when they left.
When the officers then returned, Murphy spat at two of them, and attempted to headbutt one and kick the other in the chest.
Defence barrister Stephen Fitzpatrick told Enniskillen Magistrates Court Murphy now recognised the difficulties he had caused by persistently calling 999 and was very remorseful about the incident.
Referring to a pre-sentencing report, Mr Fitzpatrick said Murphy had a “very difficult and tragic background” and experienced a number of unfortunate incidents in his life which he said “in one sense caused the first charge.” He said he had ongoing serious difficulties he wished to address and was engaging with support services to do so. Mr Fitzpatrick added Murphy’s previous record of offended had reduced, and he had no pending matters before the court.
The barrister asked District Judge Nigel Broderick to consider imposing a community service order, and asked for any period of custody to be suspended to allow Murphy to continue engaging with services.
Judge Broderick told Murphy he had put his own liberty at risk with the offences, stating calling 999 without an emergency, which he continued after being given a chance to stop, and described his behaviour towards police as “disgraceful.” He added he recognised Murphy had difficulties but said “that is no excuse.”
Judge Broderick imposed a combination order of 12 months probation and 100 hours community service, warning Murphy he faced a custodial sentence if he breached the order. He also ordered him to pay £100 compensation to each officer.
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