Attempting to intervene when police were in the process of arresting another male has led to an appearance before Fermanagh Magistrates Court for Shane McHugh (20) from Derrin Road in Enniskillen.

The court heard that on 1st March this year police responded to a call for assistance from other officers in the Townhall Street area of Enniskillen.

When these officers arrived their colleagues were dealing with a male who they had against the bonnet of their police car as he was being arrested.

A crowd of between 10 - 15 males were gathered around, and the defendant was among this group. Police noticed he was struggling with, and shouting at, officers. Police warned everyone there about their behaviour.

However the defendant was still trying to get to the male police had against the bonnet and police arrested him for disorderly behaviour.

When he struggled with officers he was re-arrested for resisting arrest. Again police asked the defendant to calm down, which he did.

Defending, Bernard Corrigan explained that the defendant had merely attempted to intervene in the arrest of another person but said the defendant appeared to calm down at an early stage of this episode.

Mr Corrigan said that the height of the offence appeared to be 'verbal abuse' of police.

The court heard the defendant had a limited record but also heard this offence put him in breach of a binding over to keep the peace.

Resident Magistrate Liam McNally imposed fines of £200 and £75 for disorderly behaviour and resisting arrest. However, for breaching his bond to keep the peace, issued on 12th December last, Mr McNally told the defendant he now had to pay £500 in addition to these fines.