A 20-YEAR-OLD man who drove to a house and assaulted another male in an “internecine dispute” between families has been banned from the road for 12 months after failing to provide police with a breath sample.

Darren Maughan, of Knockadore, Newtownbutler, was charged with unlawfully assaulting Thomas McDonagh, using a motor vehicle without insurance, not having a driving licence and failing to provide a breath specimen on July 16, 2017.

Maughan entered guilty pleas when he appeared before Fermanagh Magistrates Court.

The court heard that, on July 16, police were notified by a member of the public about an altercation in Newtownbutler, during which a young male was “badly assaulted”.

Officer attended the address and spoke to witnesses. They were told that Darren Maughan had driven to the property with another individual and began a fight with the injured party.

When police later spoke to the defendant, he was asked to provide a breath sample, but didn’t do so.

It further emerged that he didn’t have a driving licence or insurance.

Defending counsel, Ciaran Roddy, told the court that, while his client initially denied the offences, he subsequently made full admissions.

District judge, Des Perry, described that the incident as an “internecine dispute” between families.

The judge imposed a 12-month conditional discharge in respect of the assault.

Mr. Perry also imposed fines totalling £340 and a 12-month disqualification for the various motoring offences.

He added: “Do not be tempted over the next 12 months to get behind the wheel of a car.”