Man called police officer from Republic of Ireland a 'Fenian'
Published 11 Oct 2012 08:45
A 22-year-old man hurled sectarian abuse at a police officer with a Republic of Ireland accent during a disturbance in Enniskillen, Fermanagh Court has heard.
Jonathan Burke, of Lettermoney Road, Ballinamallard, called the constable a "Fenian bastard".
He was given 100 hours of community service and fined £100 when he admitted being disorderly and resisting a police officer.
A prosecutor explained that at approximately 1am on August 27, police were called to a disturbance at Queen Street in Enniskillen. Burke began shouting at them in a loud voice, telling them to: "F--k off you useless black c--ts."
When the officers went to speak to him he initially walked away but was stopped from doing so. He then pushed an officer in the chest and a number of his friends became involved. During the ensuing struggle Burke kicked police on the shins and had to be put to the ground. On hearing one of the officers speak with a Republic of Ireland accent, he called him a "Fenian bastard". He later admitted he should not have behaved in the way he did and apologised.
Defence solicitor, Mr. Tommy Owens, said Burke came from a highly respected family in the area. On this occasion he had consumed a considerable amount of alcohol.
District Judge John Meehan pointed out that Burke had a previous conviction for being disorderly in 2009 and refereed to his "drink-fuelled high level of violence towards police" on this occasion.
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