A Dungannon man who resisted police and attempted to steal a car in 2016 has been handed a suspended sentence.
Thomas Stephen McDonagh, of Ashdene Heights, appeared before Craigavon Magistrates’ Court via videolink from Maghaberry.
The 29-year-old was charged with resisting police and attempted theft of a vehicle.
His defence lawyer, Craig Patton, informed the court that guilty pleas could be entered on both charges.
The first case heard in court relates to an incident that took place on December 20, 2016, at 11:15pm.
Police had received a report of family members fighting outside an address. When they arrived they could see a small fire developing and there was a large crowd outside the property.
When they were urging the crowd to move back, the defendant emerged from the house and police heard him shouting he “had done it”.
The defendant became agitated and struggled with police. He later gave a no comment interview.
The second case occurred on June 9 of the same year at 3:35am, when police were tasked to a vehicle that was on fire on the road in Portadown.
On arrival, police spoke with the reporting person who stated an unknown male had been tampering with the vehicle and set it alight.
McDonagh’s defence lawyer then noted that the defendant, who was on remand in custody, was due to have three matters appear in Dungannon Court the same day and would be applying for bail.
He added that his client, who had served a “significant sentence” in the Republic of Ireland, also received a suspended sentence at Newry Court on January 4.
District Judge Rafferty opted to impose a similar measure and sentenced McDonagh to one month in custody suspended for one year.
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