A Newry man, who advised a district judge on how he should sentence him, has thanked the magistrate for sparing him prison and vowed to “tell all the boys”.
Caolan Patrick O’Hagan, of Chestnut Grove, appeared before the city’s Magistrates’ Court charged with common assault, disorderly behaviour, resisting police, and assault on police.
The public prosecutor told the court that at around 8pm on Friday, December 13, police attended a disturbance at a flower shop on Hill Street in Newry.
On arrival, police observed O’Hagan on the ground, acting disorderly, being held by his arms and legs. He had reportedly entered the store and been verbally abusive to staff members.
O’Hagan lifted an item as if he was going to attempt to steal it and was asked to leave numerous times. He then squared up to staff members and started throwing punches in their direction.
Staff took control of the situation and removed him from the premises; two staff members subsequently restrained him outside.
Another man, who was driving to the shop, saw O’Hagan on the road being restrained and went over to help him back onto his feet and asked him to calm down.
However, O’Hagan then punched him three or four times in the face, neck and chest area.
He was brought to the ground again, and the injured man assisted in holding his arms until police arrived at the scene.
Whilst being arrested, O’Hagan was pulling away, struggling, and resisting attempts by police to place handcuffs on him. He was swearing and shouting “Up the hoods” and “Tiocfaidh ár lá”.
Whilst being placed in the cell van, he kicked an officer and slammed his thumb against the van door. The officer required medical treatment at Daisy Hill Hospital.
In court, O’Hagan said he was representing himself, following an apparent mix-up with his solicitor.
“Can you give me an ECO (Enhanced Combination Order)?” he asked Judge Eamon King.
He added: “If I’m being taken away from the community, I may as well give back to the community rather than being locked up in Maghaberry like a dog.”
Judge King replied: “I’m not going to lock you up today; you can be rest assured of that.”
O’Hagan thanked the judge and added: “It’s a misdemeanour — it should never have been brought to court.”
Judge King disagreed: “It’s not a misdemeanour — it’s common assault, it’s disorderly behaviour, and resisting police.”
The judge offered to adjourn the case for a week and advised O’Hagan to speak to a solicitor.
The defendant retorted: “I’ll plead guilty now if you want. What are you going to give me? Can you give me an ECO, please — I’ve never had one before.
“Do you know what this happened over? Two pineapples and five mangoes. This should not have come to court. This is a waste of police time. It’s a waste of your time. It’s a waste of my time.”
He then conceded: “Any way you want to deal with me, I will take that on the chin.”
Judge King sentenced O’Hagan to four months in prison, suspended for two years.
O’Hagan remarked: “Thank you, Mr King. I’ll keep that on top of my head, and I swear to God I’ll tell all the boys.”
