Judge highlights 'severe street drinking problem' in Derry as he remands 'disaster of a couple' in custody for fighting on street

A Derry judge has remanded two street drinkers into custody amid concerns that their behaviour could lead to a death on the roads.

The court heard the two defendants are in a ‘toxic’ relationship and have fought in the city-centre causing vehicles to swerve in order to avoid them on more than one occasion.

Bridget Mongan, 27, of Foyle Road and Mark Sheridan, 31, of no fixed abode were both charged with common assault, disorderly behaviour and jaywalking – for offences they allegedly committed against one another.

The common assault charges against both were however withdrawn by the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) ‘to proceed by way of report’. Sheridan was further charged with possessing an article with a blade – namely ‘stanley type blades’ – in Waterloo Place on February 14 of this year.

Both defendants were subject to suspended sentences and had been given final warnings by the court.

Outlining the case, a police officer began by describing the defendants as ‘a disaster of a couple’ whose disputes ‘descend into complete and utter madness on the streets of Derry in front of members of the public’. He informed the court that the assault charge had been withdrawn until the PPS reviews CCTV footage.

The officer added: “They were on John Street punching the heads of each other causing car drivers to slam on their brakes.”

Bail was refused in respect of both defendants but the District Judge Barney McElholm added that if bail packages were put in place to address the problems of both defendants, he would consider granting bail.

He continued: “This city has a severe street drinking problem. I visited Depaul’s who run Foyle Haven and discussed various matters with them and I try to work with people.”

However, he said Mongan had been given warnings that her liver was about ‘to give up altogether’ and he suggested she needs address her drink problem and relationship issues.

Bail was refused and both defendants remanded in custody to appear in court by way of video link on March 12.

Judge McElholm concluded: “This behaviour can’t be tolerated, the public have the right to say, when do you stop giving chances.”