A Mayobridge man who called police ‘dirty f***ing RUC c***s” after receiving a lift home following previous disorderly behaviour has been handed a suspended prison sentence.
Sentencing the 62-year-old, the district judge commented: “The police had assisted in getting him home. I wish they had the powers to leave people who act as he did at the top of Slieve Donard and allow them to make their own way home.”
Patrick Francis Breen, of Crossan Road, had pleas of guilty entered on his behalf to two counts of disorderly behaviour at Newry Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Prosecution outlined how on September 13, at 7.05pm, police were called to North Street, Newry, in relation to a male acting aggressively in the area. He appeared intoxicated and had fallen.
Upon arrival, officers located this defendant, who was shouting and swearing with members of the public within earshot.
He was warned about his behaviour but continued, repeatedly calling police “c***s” and throwing a bloody tissue at one officer.
Breen was also heard shouting phrases such as “tiocfaidh ár lá” and “up the RA”.
The defendant was cautioned for disorderly behaviour and seen to by a paramedic, who suggested that Breen was left with relatives.
Officers gave the defendant a lift to Mayobridge, but upon arrival he once more began shouting and swearing.
This time he called the police “dirty f***ing RUC c***s” and told them that he would put “a bit of lead in their head”.
Defence barrister Seamus Lannon commented candidly that the facts did not “make for happy reading”.
He outlined that his client’s “significant record” began in 2008 and that having coped with previous hardships “admirably” up to that point he had since struggled.
Mr Lannon stated that Breen had “sought solace” in the consumption of alcohol and had not dealt with his issues.
He further added that this had led to the defendant’s offending, commenting that he had no problems with police.
District Judge Eamonn King stated: “He has a serious issue with alcohol but that is no excuse for this type of behaviour towards anyone.
“The police had assisted in getting him home. I wish they had the powers to leave people who act as he did at the top of Slieve Donard and allow them to make their own way home.”
Breen was sentenced to four months in prison suspended for a period of two years.
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