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22 Jan 2026

Suspended sentence for Derry man who racially abused shop worker

Michael Connors (30) of Academy Road in Derry was charged with the offence that occurred on January 20 when a group of street drinkers were asked to move from outside a city centre  shop by someone who worked there

Suspended sentence for Donegal man at Derry Magistrate's Court

Derry Court

A man has appeared at Derry Magistrate's Court charged with disorderly behavior after racially abusing a shop worker.

Michael Connors (30) of Academy Road in Derry was charged with the offence that occurred on January 20 when a group of street drinkers were asked to move from outside a city centre  shop by someone who worked there.

The majority were said to have complied without issue but Connors began to shout racial abuse at the man telling him to 'go back to your own country you P--i b-----d'.

Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said that it was a verbal disorderly and there was no resisting or negative interaction with police.

He added that Connors had a 'long history' with drink and had a number of previous convictions, including three assaults on police and multiple drug offences.

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District Judge Oonagh Mullan described Connors's record as 'atrocious', pointing out that he was most recently convicted in November 2025 and was back in court less than three months later.

He was sentenced to four months in custody, suspended for eighteen months.

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