Breaking a window at Woolworths in the Diamond area of Enniskillen has led to an appearance before Fermanagh Magistrates Court for Sean Paul David Gallinagh (19), from Cleenish Park in Enniskillen.

The court heard that, around 2 o'clock on the morning of 25th January this year, police were in the Diamond area of Enniskillen attending to a public disturbance when a taxi driver told officers that he observed the defendant breaking the window of Woolworths.

When police went over to the defendant, they noticed that he was bleeding. He then gave the officers a false name and false details.

When he was later spoken to by police and told that the incident was captured on CCTV, the defendant admitted the offence, gave his correct details and said that he would be willing to pay for the damage he had caused.

Defending, Garry Smyth said that his client had been out socialising and he had some drink taken and, when he wasn't able to help his friend, he was frustrated and he took this frustration out on the window. He said his client was ashamed of his actions.

Sentencing, Resident Magistrate Bonita Boyd said in this case that the defendant had tried to evade detection by providing false details. But, she gave him credit for his early plea and his willingness to pay for the damage.

Favouring a community disposal, the defendant was sentenced to a 150 hours' community service order. For obstructing a Constable, Gallinagh was fined £100. He was also ordered to pay restitution of £1,351.25.

Man claimed rates rebate

A Roslea man, who claimed Rates Rebate despite having savings over the threshold, has been fined a total of £400 when he appeared before a recent sitting of Fermanagh Magistrates Court.

John Beggan (62) from Drumacritten, Roslea, faces two charges of making incorrect statements for rates rebate on 27th May 2003 and 31st January 2004 by not reporting that he had savings in excess of the statutory limit.

Solicitor for the defence, Ronan McManus, told the court that the total amount to be repaid was £1,558.37 and that the defendant had already repaid £1,350 of this.

Mr McManus said that his client was a married man with three children. The defendant hadn't intended to defraud anyone and he never used the money for his own benefit, rather, it was for the benefit of another member of his family.

Mr McManus said that Beggan had never been in court before and he was willing to repay the outstanding amount.

A fine of £200 was imposed on each of the two charges and the defendant was ordered to fully repay the amount that he received in error.

Car driver 'nearly fell over'

A Garrison labourer, who was detected driving with excess alcohol, has been disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined a total of £400 when he appeared before a recent sitting of Fermanagh Magistrates Court.

Michael Keenan (55) from Carran West, Garrison, was stopped by police at a vehicle checkpoint at Main Street, Garrison, driving a Volkswagen Vento on 29th April this year. Police noticed a smell of intoxicating liquor and asked the defendant to get out of the car. The Court was told that he was unsteady on his feet and 'nearly fell over'.

After failing a preliminary breath test, Keenan was taken to Enniskillen Police Station where he provided two evidential specimens of breath, the lower reading being 87mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath - 52 in excess.

It was also discovered that the defendant was the holder of a provisional licence.

Nessa Murnaghan defended.

For driving with excess alcohol, the defendant was fined £300 and was disqualified from driving for 12 months. For driving without supervision the defendant was fined £100.

No insurance

Riding a Honda 650 Scrambler motorbike without a licence or without insurance has led to an appearance before Fermanagh Magistrates Court for Ronan Gallagher (18) from Drumacken Road, Tempo.

The defendant was detected by police riding along the Derrylin Road, Lisnaskea, on 11th April this year. When stopped, the defendant admitted that he had no insurance and had no licence to ride the motorbike. He was fined £200 and had his licence endorsed with six penalty points for driving without insurance. For driving without a licence, he was fined £70.