A JUDGE has given a Derrygonnelly man the chance to break the cycle and get the help he needs by handing him a probation order.

Damien Patrick Bermingham Connolly (33), of Rosnarick Close, Derrygonnelly, appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday via videolink from Maghaberry to face several public order offences.

The collective offences relayed to the court included disorderly behaviour, and resisting police, in 2020; and assault on police x 4, and resisting police, in 2021.

The court heard firstly that, on December 15, 2020, police and ambulance responded to an incident in Enniskillen involving the defendant who had received facial injuries but was refusing any medical assistance.

He told officers he was staying at an address in Galliagh Park. When they arrived at the house, they heard of an allegation about Bermingham.

The defendant began shouting abuse and was warned of his behaviour. Bermingham resisted officers while they tried to arrest him, and a cell van was required to take him to hospital for treatment.

Then the court further heard that on May 21, the defendant was observed by police at Tempo Road who knew that he was wanted.

He made off and tried to hide under a car in a garage, and when he was being arrested, he attempted to headbutt one of the officers and pushed another.

Bermingham continued to resist and an officer had to sit on his legs to restrain him while he refused to be handcuffed.

Before getting in the police car, he again tried to headbutt an officer, while force was required to prevent further attempts and to stop him from spitting.

Bermingham was also shouting and swearing while the officers involved reported a sore knee, neck and hand.

Bermingham's barrister, Stefan Rafferty, told the court that his client had been "kidnapped" in 2019 and held against his will, and it was something that along with alcohol and substance misuse, has made things difficult for him.

Looking at the December incident, Mr. Rafferty said his client had "behaved irresponsibly" and thankfully there was no harm to others.

He added that the charges were low-level public order offences.

District Judge Steven Keown said that if Bermingham did not get help he would just go back into custody, and from reading the report his time in prison has not been a good experience.

To try and break the cycle, he ordered Bermingham to complete a 12-month probation order, with Bermingham saying: "I won't let you down."