A 26-YEAR-OLD Irvinestown man has been ordered to complete a combination of probation and community service after using disorderly behaviour brought him before the Court.

District Judge Liam McNally heard how at 3am on August 27, the defendant Stephen Timlin (26), from Hazelwood, was seen 'lunging' at another male. He was told by police to calm down and the pair had to be separated. He was subsequently arrested for using disorderly behaviour.

Defending, Garry Smyth said his client deserved maximum credit for his guilty plea. He reminded the Judge that Timlin faced a disorderly behaviour charge only and that there was no prosecution in relation to an assault. Mr Smyth submitted that the defendant was minding his own business on the night in question when he was attacked and a melee developed which drew police attention. He said he was the innocent party in the incident but accepted he went beyond appropriate behaviour, hence the plea to the charge before the court.

Judge McNally said Timlin came very close to facing a prison sentence over the Christmas period. However, he said the defendant had to address the causes of this offence. He imposed a combination order accordingly, ordering Timlin to complete 12 months of probation and 80 hours of community service so that 'rather than fighting you can put something constructive back into the community'.