Kildress man called police officer a ‘ginger b*****d’

Ronan McIvor, 27, from Mill View, was walking aggressively towards another man when police intervened on James Street in Cookstown on November 23.

He took umbrage to the police and struck one constable in the chest though the attempt was partially blocked by the officer’s body armour.

Both fell to the ground and McIvor kicked out at the officer, calling him a “UVF w***er” and a “ginger b*****d” as well as shouting “up the ‘RA”.

Mr McIvor had to be carried across the road to a waiting police vehicle to be taken to Dungannon Police Station where his abusive language continued.

Mr Noel Dillon, defending, told the court that his client had similar offences dating from 2008 and 2012.

He said that he was dealing with an alcohol issue which had worsened at the time of his detection but he had been sober since the time and had been having weekly reviews.

Handing down prison sentences totalling three months, District Judge John Meehan said: “This was a highly violent incident. I you engage again in violence on the street you serve this sentence.” Ordering that the sentence be suspended for three years he also imposed a compensation order of £100 and the £15 offender’s levy.