A Cookstown man who shouted abuse, including “f*** the Brits” and “up the RA”, at police attending an unrelated report in Portadown has been ordered to pay a fine of £500.
The district judge noted a gap in the 42-year-old’s offending of almost four years but warned: “He is going to have to behave himself. This sort of foul language is just not acceptable and has the potential to cause fear.”
John Patrick Quinn, of Killymoon Crescent, pleaded guilty to one count of disorderly behaviour at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Prosecution outlined that on May 18, at 6.20pm, police were in attendance on the Garvaghy Road in Portadown due to an unrelated incident.
Whilst there, this defendant exited a property and upon observing the officers began to shout abuse at them.
Phrases uttered included “up the RA”, “f*** the Brits”, “Tiocfaidh ár lá” and “black b******”.
Despite being warned about his language, with children present in the vicinity, Quinn continued to shout abuse and was subsequently arrested.
Defence barrister Conor Lunny told court that his client was a Cookstown native but had found himself in Portadown due to a 17-year relationship with a lady from that area.
He stated: “Mr Quinn is an alcoholic, he makes no bones about that. He says he has his good days and his bad days. This was a bad day and he had far too much to drink. He can’t recall the incident at all.
“Although there are some positives as your worship will see there has been a gap of around three years in his record.”
District Judge Bernie Kelly said: “For a man of his difficulties, a gap of almost four years is somewhat of a minor achievement.
“However, he is going to have to behave himself. This sort of foul language is just not acceptable and has the potential to cause fear.”
Quinn was ordered to pay a fine of £500, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 20 weeks.
