A 19-year-old Enniskillen man has been bound over to keep the peace, fined £250 and has received a conditional discharge following a recent sitting of Fermanagh Magistrates Court.

District Judge Liam McNally heard how at approximately 1.30am on the 25th November last year, police were called to a disturbance outside the Bush Bar, Townhall Street, Enniskillen. Two males were fighting opposite the bar and it was broken up. Police were in the process of arresting when the defendant Cathal Beacom from Corban Avenue ran off but was again apprehended. He proceeded to punch a Constable causing a wide cut to the nose and swelling to the forehead.. He continued to struggle with police and was subsequently arrested for assaulting a police officer and for resisting police. He was further charged with using disorderly behaviour. He denied the offences stating he was heavily intoxicated at the time.

Defending, Bernard Corrigan told the Court that his client was a member of a local soccer team who had been away at a cup match in Ballymoney. Drinking ensued on the bus on the way home and later in Enniskillen. He submitted that Beacom had taken a considerable amount of alcohol and was considerably intoxicated when police arrived. He said he had no previous convictions. The defendant's behaviour he added, was very much out of character and he was very remorseful for his actions. He said he had no recollection of the incident in which he punched a police officer, something Mr Corrigan said was evident in the fact the defendant stated in interview that hitting a police officer was 'definitely, definitely one thing that I don't think I could do'. Mr Corrigan submitted that his client worked in a local factory.

Addressing Beacom, District Judge McNally told the defendant his behaviour and the amount of drink he consumed was nothing short of appalling. He said he would consider the fact that Beacom had showed remorse, had entered an early plea and had a clear record. For assaulting a police officer, he imposed a £250 fine. For resisting police he imposed an 18-month conditional discharge. For being disorderly he bound Beacom over to keep the peace in a sum of £300 for 18 months.