A Co Armagh man who refused to go home despite being given “every opportunity” by police has been ordered to pay a fine of £600.
The district judge told the 22-year-old:”You were basically inviting the response that police ultimately resorted to.”
Paul McGonnell, of Rawes Road, Derrynoose, was convicted of resisting police at Armagh Magistrates’ Court, sitting at Newry, on Tuesday.
The defendant had previously indicated pleas to disorderly behaviour, assault on police and obstructing police.
None of the facts of the case were heard, however, the particulars outline that the offences occurred on October 7, of 2019, on the Madden Road in Keady.
Upon considering the statement of one constable, District Judge Bernie Kelly stated she believed that all of the charges had been made out.
Defence barrister Kevin O’Hare commented that his client appeared with no record and had not committed any offences since this incident back in 2019.
He added that McGonnell accepted what he had uttered to police on this occasion was “reprehensible”.
District Judge Bernie Kelly stated: “This was a very unfortunate incident. It would appear that the police gave him every opportunity to basically go home….but every time they tried to leave you impeded them.
“You were basically inviting the response that police ultimately resorted to.”
McGonnell was ordered to pay a fine of £600, along with offender’s levy of £15, within 16 weeks.
