A Lurgan man who failed to stop shouting and swearing at a doorman at a local bar even after police intervention has been handed a £150 fine.
The 48-year-old’s solicitor said his client was given “a number of opportunities to calm down” but did not heed these.
Damian Heaney, of Sloan Street, pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Court heard that on September 16, at around 12.15am, police on patrol in the William Street area of Lurgan spotted the defendant shouting and pointing at a doorman at the Courthouse Bar.
They observed as Heaney tried to push past another member of staff to get at the doorman.
Officers spoke to the defendant and asked him to calm down.
It was noted by police that Heaney’s speech was slurred and that he appeared unsteady on his feet.
The defendant began to show signs of aggression as he started to grit his teeth.
He continued to shout and use foul language, which he was warned about on several occasions.
Heaney was cautioned but refused to give police his details.
When he was taken to the police vehicle he refused to get in and continued shouting at the door staff saying: “I’ll f****** hurt you.”
Defence solicitor Pat Vernon stated: “The police gave Mr Heaney a number of opportunities to calm down.”
He added: “He suffers from depression and this was a particularly low point.”
District Judge Bernie Kelly responded: “And this is the solution – drinking himself into a stupor?”
Mr Vernon said Heaney could not remember the incident and came before the court with only one prior diversion.
The defendant was ordered to pay a fine of £150, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 10 weeks.
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