A 27-YEAR-OLD man has had his bail revoked after he allegedly smeared excrement over the walls of a cell in Enniskillen police station at the weekend.

Jason Magerr, of Chanterhill Road, Enniskillen, is charged with the criminal damage of a police cell belonging to the PSNI and assaulting a police officer in the execution of his duty on Saturday (March 10, 2018).

Magerr, who had been on bail on another matter, was led into the dock at Fermanagh Magistrates Court on Monday following his arrest.

He spoke only to confirm that he understood the fresh charges against him.

A PSNI officer told the court that she believed she could connect the defendant to these charges.

Defending solicitor, Garry Smyth, mounted a bail application on behalf of his client, which was objected to by the police officer.

Outlining the circumstances of the defendant’s arrest on Saturday, she told the court that, at 7.30pm, police received a call from Pat’s Bar in Enniskillen informing them that Magerr had been ejected from the premises.

Upon arrival at the scene, police located the defendant a short distance away and could smell intoxicating liquor from his breath.

As he was in breach of a bail condition not to drink alcohol in a public place, Magerr was arrested and taken into custody.

The police officer alleged that, while in custody, the defendant became “aggressive” and hit an officer on the left shin.

She further alleged that, when he was placed in a cell at the station, he proceeded to smear excrement over the walls.

Objecting to his release from custody, the officer told the court that there were concerns that Magerr would re-offend and also would not adhere to bail conditions.

During cross-examination by Mr. Smyth, the officer confirmed that the defendant had not been charged in connection with his alleged behaviour in Enniskillen town centre as there was “not enough evidence”.

Applying for bail, Mr. Smyth told the court that his client had consumed alcohol while he spent Saturday afternoon watching rugby at home.

The solicitor said that, after the matches had finished, the defendant had met up with a friend and later came to police attention.

Admitting that Magerr had not covered himself in glory, Mr. Smyth told the court that there was “certain embarrassment” over his behaviour in the police cell.

The solicitor added that his client was willing to deal with any costs of making good on that.

Urging the judge to give him one final opportunity, Mr. Smyth said that the defendant had been engaging with various counselling agencies and this “good work” would fall by the wayside if he was remanded in custody.

District judge, Nigel Broderick, observed that it had been a “very difficult” application to make, given the defendant’s extensive criminal record and his allegedly “wholly inappropriate” behaviour in custody.

Revoking bail, the judge ordered Magerr to appear before the court again on Monday, April 9, via videolink.