Man jailed at Derry Court for a litany of offences including possessing an offensive weapon

A man has been jailed at Derry Magistrate's Court today for a litany of offences including dangerous driving and possessing an offensive weapon in a public place.

Dale McMonagle (28) of Clarendon Street in Derry admitted all the offences.

The dangerous driving occurred on January 27 this year when police were called to Foyle Street to a report of an intoxicated male trying to drive away.

They found McMonagle sitting in the driver's seat of a vehicle facing the wrong way.

He had tried to drive away but had been stopped by two community wardens.

CCTV operators then informed police that the defendant had driven at speed on Bishop Street.

McMonagle was given a breathalyser which he passed but due to his condition police requested him to take a blood test which he refused to do.

When placed in a cell McMonagle smeared faeces on the walls and over a camera.

The court heard he wasn't fit to be interviewed.

In relation to a charge of criminal damage the court was told that on October 26 McMonagle was arrested and while in a police vehicle he spat.

The court then heard about an incident on September 29 when McMonagle was arrested after police received a report of men fighting in the Balliniska Heights area.

When police intervened McMonagle 'shouted and swore' and was taken to hospital where his behaviour continued.

The defendant also admitted possessing drugs on May 4 2020 and possessing a steel bar in the Park Avenue area on April 26 2020.

Defence counsel Eoghan Devlin said that with so many offences it was 'difficult' to offer anything in mitigation.

He said McMonagle was 'his own worst enemy' and asked the court to impose a sentence 'that gives light at the end of the tunnel'.

McMonagle was jailed for a total of 7 months and disqualified from driving for 12 months.