An Irvinestown man who kicked out at police when they were arresting him has been handed a four month suspended prison sentence when he appeared before Fermanagh Magistrates Court.

Sean Millar (20) from Forthill Park in the town pleaded guilty to assaulting and resisting Constable Michael Patton on 13th February this year.

On the date in question, the Court heard, police called to a flat in Irvinestown to speak to the defendant about an arson incident. When he was being handcuffed, the defendant leaned forward and kicked a police officer in the stomach, slightly winding him. He then kicked out again kicking the same officer in the groin area.

Conor Heaney, defending, admitted to the court this was an 'unsavoury incident'. His client had been drinking all day, and while this wasn't justification, it might in some way explain the defendant's behaviour, he suggested.

Mr Heaney agreed that his client's behaviour was, 'entirely inappropriate' and that, through him, the defendant wished to extend his apologies to the officer he assaulted. Neither officer sustained serious injury in this matter, he added.

The Court was told that Millar had a long-standing problem with alcohol and drugs and Mr Heaney acknowledged 'a certain level of immaturity with his client'. Since this incident, his client had refrained from alcohol.

District Judge Liam McNally told the defendant he had a bad record for this type of offence. The court had tried everything with him, including probation orders and fines.

For the assault, Millar was sentenced to four months in prison, with this sentence suspended for two years. For resisting arrest, he was fined £250.