Man told he could improve behaviour if he stops drinking

Daniel Duffy (19), Union Street, Lurgan, admitted a serious of offences which happened on three different dates.

He pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour on August 30, criminal damage to a mirror on May 23 and disorderly behaviour on February 28.

Duffy was sentenced to three months in custody, suspended for 18 months, on each charge. The terms are to run concurrently making a total of nine months.

The court on Wednesday, December 10,heard that on August 30 at 6.45pm police were called to a disturbance in Union Street. There was a party in a house and police persuaded the householder to turn the noise down.

Duffy came out and called the police ‘f—king c—ts’ before telling them to ‘go to f—k, you are ruining the f—king fun’.

He was warned about his behaviour but said ‘I’ll shout if I f—king want’ and ‘go away to f—k you b—d’s’.

Duffy was cautioned and on the way to the station he said ‘I’m going to bite every f—king one of you’.

At 9pm on February 28 there was an ongoing disturbance in Church Place and Duffy became hostile, aggressive and abusive towards police.

He was told to calm down but continued to shout and swear.

Police were called to a domestic dispute at an address in Lurgan on May 23.

The injured party, Duffy’s father, opened the door and told them his son was in the living room. The defendant was drunk and had smashed a mirror.

When interviewed Duffy said ‘he wouldn’t let me sleep on the couch so I put my boot in the mirror’. He had paid compensation to his father for the mirror.

A solicitor representing the defendant said he suffered from depression and anxiety and had behavioural problems.

He added that Duffy’s attitude to police was deplorable and he would apologise. He was anxious to put these incidents behind him.

District Judge, Mrs Bernie Kelly, said while she accepted what was said about the defendant’s medical difficulties it did not stop him drinking or taking drugs.

She said all these incidents happened when he was under the influence of alcohol.

“This was reprehensible behaviour and his choice of language was deplorable,” she added.

She ruled that the offences were so serious there was only one penalty she could impose but she was mindful of the defendant’s pleas and his modest record.

“If you stop drinking and taking drugs you will find it easier to manage your behaviour in public,” she told Duffy.