AN ENNISKILLEN man who assaulted police officers after being arrested for trying to take a selfie at a police car has been given a prison sentence.
Brian Corrigan (34) of Queen Street, Enniskillen was charged with a range of offences, including disorderly behaviour and assault on police, relating to three different incidents.
His case was heard in his absence at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday as he is currently in custody in the South.
At around 3.30am on July 9th, 2017 police were on public order duty at The Diamond in Enniskillen when Corrigan came up and opened the front door of the police car.
Officers took him to the other side of the road and told him to stay away.
Corrigan returned and opened the car door again, and appeared to be taking photographs of himself, while there was another defendant in the back of the car. He was told to stay away again.
The defendant then went behind the car, crouched down and started shouting “I’ve been hit, I’ve been hit” and laughing. The car had not moved.
The next incident happened on February 18th this year. At around 3.30am police were on patrol at High Street when Corrigan ran up and kicked an officer beside a fast food van.
Another officer tried to restrain him and he lashed out, kicking an officer and punching another.
While he was being taken to the station he tried to kick out the glass in the back of the police car, and tried to headbutt an officer.
As he was being put into a cell at the station he headbutted an officer and punched another in the jaw.
The final incident happened on February 24th when police attended his home on a matter not before the court. When arrested on the other matter, for which he was not prosecuted, he tried to headbutt and kick the officers.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan described Corrigan as “a busy man.”
Defence solicitor Garry Smyth said fortunately no injury had been caused to any of the officers. He said alcohol was a factor in all of Corrigan’s offending and when not drinking he would never come to police attention.
Judge Ranaghan sentenced Corrigan to a total of six months in prison.
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