Drunk man ignored request to go home

Connor McNeill, Whitesides Hill, Portadown, at a previous court, admitted jaywalking, disorderly behaviour and obstructing a constable on March 6 this year.

The case had been adjourned so that a short sentence report could be prepared.

The court heard that at 1.30am police were in West Street in Portadown to prevent any disorder.

McNeill, who was intoxicated, was asked on a number of occasions to go home but he ignored this and ignored police when they told him to get off the road for his own safety. There was a lot of traffic in the area at the time.

Two persons, not known to the defendant, were arrested and McNeill got involved, trying to stop police making the arrest.

He stood in front of the police vehicle preventing it from leaving the area. He was told again to get off the road and had to be physically removed.

He also opened the rear door of the police vehicle where there was a handcuffed person.

When he was told to go home again he repeatedly said: “I am home.”

A solicitor representing McNeill said he had no connection whatsoever with this other person but became embroiled with the police.

He added that his client accepted his behaviour was foolish and stupid.

Deputy District Judge Laura Ievers said the offence seemed to be totally out of character telling the defendant he had ‘made a show of himself’ on the night in question.

For obstructing police and disorderly behaviour she imposed 40 hours community service and for jaywalking McNeill was fined £100 and ordered to pay a £15 offender’s levy.