A youth currently on bail for a number of public order charges has appeared in court after breaching her curfew by failing to return to the care facility in which she resides.
It transpired the defendant, who cannot be named because of her age, was on the roof of a building, along with another youth and both had been heavily drinking vodka.
A police officer told Enniskillen Magistrates’ Court a report was received at 7.45pm on October 25, initially stating two females were on the roof of business premises, and on arrival it was discovered to be the girls.
Both refused to come down and specialist officers and social workers began negotiations with the girls.
When this failed NI Fire and Rescue Service were called to assist, while officers and social workers continued trying to persuade the girls to come down, but to no avail.
Due to the nature of the building and the girls’ location, NI Fire and Rescue informed police it was necessary to bring in a specialised engine with a telescopic ladder.
This had to be deployed from Belfast, arriving shortly before 11pm.
Both girls were removed from the roof and the defendant was arrested for disorderly behaviour and breaching her bail conditions.
The other youth was taken to hospital after disclosing she had taken drugs along with the alcohol while on the roof.
While not objecting to bail the officer requested District Judge Alana McSorley add a further condition banning the consumption of alcohol.
He said, “The defendant is on bail before Dungannon Youth Court for charges in July and is subject to a curfew from 10pm to 7am, which she has breached and reoffended.”
A defence solicitor told the court the breach was accepted and the defendant’s social worker had confirmed she could return to the care facility.
“However, she has also requested additional conditions of no alcohol, exclusion from specified areas and the curfew brought forward from 10pm to 9pm,” said the defence.
Judge McSorley deemed this “entirely reasonable under circumstances”.
Addressing the defendant directly she added, “Your curfew is now 9pm to 7am. Should you breach bail again, I’ll bring the curfew forward even more.”
The case will be mentioned again before Dungannon Youth Court on November 17.
