Derry Court: Man with '171 previous convictions' remanded following city centre assault

District Judge Barney McElholm has said that some people 'avoid parts of the city centre' due to the activities of street drinkers.

His comments came as he remanded a man with 171 previous convictions in custody for offences that were said to have occurred around 1pm on June 14.

Paul Farren (33) of Duncreggan Road in Derry appeared charged with assaulting a man, disorderly behaviour in the Strand Road and resisting police on June 14.

The court heard that police were on patrol and we're approached by a man claiming he had been assaulted by Farren outside the old Bank of Ireland building.

The man claimed Farren threw a bottle at him before jumping on his back and taking him to the ground in a headlock. 

When police approached Farren he resisted and CS spray had to be used. 

An independent witness told police that the alleged victim had commented about begging before the bottle was thrown. 

A police officer said that the court was 'extremely aware of Farren' who was a chronic alcoholic.

He said he had received a suspended sentence 15 days ago and the officer said he was 'surprised he had lasted so long.'

The court heard that if Farren drinks then he will offend. 

Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said his client had given 'a version of events' but said that for the first time in a long time the defendant had an address.

He said bail could be granted with a condition he does not enter the city centre. 

Judge McElholm said that even if he imposed a condition on Farren not to drink or enter the city centre he would do both. 

He said locking people up was 'a waste of money' and achieved nothing except give the people of the city some respite.

The judge said if he granted Farren bail he would have breached it 'before the day is out.'

Farren was remanded in custody to appear again on July 6.