A Strabane man who tried to knock off a garda's cap was convicted and fined 300 euro at Monday's sitting of Letterkenny District Court.

Jonathan Moore of 26 Orchard Park, Strabane was before the court charged with attempting to knock off a garda's cap and being drunk at Lower Main Street, Letterkenny on April 21, 2007.

Inspector Pat O'Donnell told the court that Moor (21) was drunk on the morning in question when he walked up behind a garda and tried to knock his cap off. Moore told the garda that he was "only having a laugh".

Moore apologised to the court and pleaded guilty to the offence.

Judge Thomas Fitzpatrick gave credit to Moore for pleading guilty and for having no previous convictions.

"Taking a cap off a garda is a very serious offence and shows you have no disregard for gardai," Judge Fitzpatrick said.

He covicted and fined him 250 euro for knocking the garda's cap off and a further 50 euro for being drunk.

Moore was not allowed to leave the court until he paid the fines as he lived outside the jurisdiction.