Bessbrook man lay prostrate in front of police

NEWRY magistrates court has heard how after police responded to a call to an address in Bessbrook they would come upon a man standing in the living room of a property wearing only his boxer shorts.

The fact was related in the case of James O'Driscoll (28) of Brookvale Crescent Bessbrook who appeared in the dock of the court to answer for counts of resisting police and criminal damage dating back to June 17 of this year. It was at 5.12am on this date the court heard how officers attended an address in the south Armagh village following a report of a disturbance in a property.

Upon arrival police would enter this property where they would come upon O'Driscoll standing naked in the living room of the property save for his boxer shorts. It was whilst speaking to the defendant's mother the court heard how the 28 year old exited the property still only wearing his boxer shorts shouting "Arrest me, Arrest me" before lying prostrate on the ground.

Acquiescing to the defendant's request O'Driscoll was subsequently arrested with the court hearing how the Bessbrook native also caused damage to a police cell van by spitting in it whilst being escorted to custody.

Addressing the court defence counsel in the case would describe O'Driscoll as being a man who is on a range of medication for conditions such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia as well as an underlying brain condition and that "there are periods where he fails to take his medication" hence his behaviour on the morning of June 17.

Given the fact that O'Driscoll was currently in breach of a five-month suspended sentence Deputy District Judge Rice opted to adjourn sentencing in the case for six weeks to allow for medical reports to be provided by defence from O'Driscoll's GP in Newry.

Judge Rice warned the Bessbrook man that if he offends at all before his next courtroom appearance. "he will be in Maghaberry for Christmas "