Suspended jail sentence for offender

Brian McDonagh, of Crawford Sqaure, admitted further charges of assaulting police and causing damage to a police car.

The charges relate to an incident in the Foyle Street area of the city on March 8.

Defence counsel Catherine Devlin said her client had issues with alcohol and was ‘not in a place where he is able to address those issues’.

District Judge Barney McElholm warned McDonagh ‘you will have to stay out of trouble from here on in’.

Suspending the sentence he also ordered the 39-year-old to complete 50 hours community service and pay £197 compensation.

Meanwhile, at the Magistrates Court on Friday, Co Cork man Nicholas Roper (49), from Youghall, appeared via videolink on a disorderly behaviour charge relating to an incident in Altnagelvin Hospital on July 5.

At a previous court Roper sang ‘Born Free’ throughout his hearing and refused to answer any questions before he was remanded in custody for mental health assessment.

On Friday the court was told he had been assessed and could be sent to Lagan Valley Hospital for treatment.

Asked if he intended to plead guilty to the charge, which would allow him to be released into medical care Roper quoted the 1947 Geneva Convention and said: “I know my rights” .

He also asked for an Amnesty International solicitor before receiving bail to reside at Lagan Valley Hospital.