A drunken 38-year-old man removed from a pub for shouting and swearing told a police officer who warned him about his behaviour: “You’re not my f--king father.” Patrick David Shiels, of Dublin Road, Enniskillen, was given 80 hours of community service when he appeared at Fermanagh Court and admitted being disorderly.

A prosecutor told the court that on Tuesday, September 9, police were travelling through Enniskillen town centre when they were flagged down by staff at Pat’s Bar. The two plain clothes officers were told that Shiels had been put out of the pub for shouting and swearing. Shiels was intoxicated and continued to be aggressive, shouting and swearing. He was warned about his behaviour by the two officers. He told one of them: “You’re not my f--king father.” Defence solicitor Brian Charity said Shiels had been drinking and did not recognise the plain clothes officers as policemen, even when shown a warrant card.

“He did calm down significantly when uniformed officers approached,” Mr. Charity told the court. He said Shiels apologised for his behaviour.

“He has a lot of issues and at times seeks refuge in alcohol,” the solicitor explained.

District Judge Nigel Broderick said he was giving Shiels credit for his early admission of guilt and quite a positive pre-sentence report by a probation officer.