Bail for 'nuisance' charged with criminal damage at Derry Court

A local man who was described by a solicitor as 'a readily identifiable figure' in the city has appeared at Derry Magistrate's Court today charged with criminal damage to a sign outside the PSNI Station.

Patrick McGonagle (59) of Moyola Drive in Derry appeared charged with one count of criminal damage to the sign.

A police officer told the court that McGonagle had 95 previous convictions and police believed that he would re-offend.

He said the defendant was 'a chronic alcoholic' and police believe he would not adhere to any bail conditions.

Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that his client was intoxicated at the time.

He said that McGonagle could be managed by conditions and as he was well known to the police who could observe any breach of his bail.

Mr MacDermott said McGonagle was 'more of a nuisance than anything else.'

District Judge Barney McElholm said that the issue is when someone moves from 'a nuisance to being a menace.'

He released him on bail on condition he observed a curfew, wear a tag, does not be intoxicated in a public place and does not go within 50 metres of any police station unless brought there by the police.

He will appear again on December 16.