Dominic McGoldrick (30) of Drumawill Gardens, Scaffog, Enniskillen appeared before Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Wednesday. He faced charges of disorderly behaviour at Main Street in Irvinestown on October 27th last and two counts of common assault on March 17th 2016. 

The court heard that in the first incident on October 27th, police were called to a public order incident at 11.20pm at the Necarne Arms in Irvinestown. There officers spoke to McGoldrick but he refused to co-operate and became aggressive. He shouted abuse at police, calling them “black bastards” and saying “you will be got”. 

In the second incident at 6.30pm on St Patrick’s Day, police received a report from the Ambulance Service of an assault at Eden Street in Enniskillen. Officers found that one of the injured parties had received a head injury after being punched in the face and knocked unconscious. CCTV footage from town centre cameras was seized and McGoldrick was identified by still images as having assaulted two men. 

When later arrested and questioned by police, the defendant denied all the allegations against him and gave a no comment interview. 

Defence barrister Steffan Rafferty told District Judge Alan White: “It should come as no surprise that both incidents were fuelled by excessive alcohol consumption. Two of the incidents took place over two years ago on St Patrick’s Day and given the day that was in it, my client had consumed a lot of alcohol. He didn’t have his wits about him and behaved foolishly.”

Mr Rafferty said McGoldrick, a father-of-two, had “a rather chequered past” but has been engaging with various agencies “to get back on the straight and narrow and free of alcohol”.

Judge White told the defendant: “These offences were disgraceful and cross the custody threshold.”

Referring to letters submitted by the defence from Social Services, the judge added: “I am impressed by these and they give me hope for the future.”

McGoldrick was handed an 18 month probation order and ordered to complete 100 hours community service. The defendant must also pay £100 compensation to each of the assault victims.