Man jailed at Derry Court for shouting 'f--k the Queen' at police the day after she died

A man who shouted 'f--k the Queen' at police the day after she died and wore a Bobby Sands T-shirt in the middle of the Apprentice Boys March has been jailed at Derry Magistrate's Court today.

Patrick McGonagle (59) of Moyola Drive in Derry appeared charged with an array of public order offences.

The court heard that on September 9 a police mobile patrol saw McGonagle close to the Strand Road PSNI Station.

When he realised that it was police he started shouting 'Tiocfaidh ar la' repeatedly and then shouted about the Queen.

He also tried to pull the radio off an officer and resisted police.

The court heard that on August 13 the annual Apprentice Boys March was taking place in the city.

McGonagle was seen in the Carlisle Road area where some Apprentice Boys supporters were gathered.

The defendant was wearing a green and white Bobby Sands top.

Police asked him what he was doing and he told them he was going to get a tattoo.

Police asked him to enter the tattoo parlour and stay there.

McGonagle did but then returned to the street while bands and supporters were present.

Police attempted to divert McGonagle's attention away from the parade but he started shouting 'Tiocfaidh ar la'.

The court was also told of an incident on June 15 when the defendant was seen throwing material around the street including broken glass.

On June 27 he tore the  covering from a building site.

Defence counsel Michael Donaghey said there was 'no doubt' the defendant was a 'nuisance and a pest'.

He said there was nothing sophisticated about McGonagle's offending and they were 'low level public order' offences.

Deputy District Judge Chris Holmes said McGonagle had 'moved from a public nuisance to public menace some time ago.'

He said it was not a question of if McGonagle was going to prison but a question of how long.

He imposed a total sentence of 17 months in prison