After a woman had gone into the River Foyle and police were involved in rescuing her a Derry man began being abusing and assaulting them the local Magistrate's Court heard today.
Gerard Mullan (32) of Kavanagh Court in the city appeared and admitted assaulting police. disorderly behaviour and indecent behaviour on November 22.
The court was told that police had been tasked to the Peace bridge after a woman had entered the River Foyle.
While they were dealing with this incident 'very drunk' Mullan who became abusive and shouted at one officer 'f--k off you baldy b-----d'.
Police tried to calm him down and asked him to go on about his business which he appeared to do so.
As the incident was drawing to a close and police were leaving they saw Mullan standing in full view of pedestrians urinating into the water.
Police stopped and Mullan was again abusive and was arrested. He then began struggling with police and kicked an officer on the shin.
A police officer told the court that Mullan had 110 previous offences of 35 were public order offences.
He said these offences were committed while Mullan was on police bail and police feared he would re-offend.
Defence solicitor Mr. Seamus Qugley said it was to 'the defendant's shame' he got involved in an incident like this where police were helping a vulnerable woman.
He added that ironically the woman may well have been one of Mullan's drinking companions a sort time earlier.
Mr. Quigley said that all of the offences related to alcohol and drugs and that most of the 110 had been dealt with by District Judge McElholm.
He said that Mullan had been released from prison about 14 months ago and had gone around 8 months free from offending.
He said he had shown that he could stop drinking but he added 'the addiction never goes away.'
Judge McElholm said it was 'a disgraceful incident' while police were saving some one's life and added it was 'a particularly disgusting' the level of abuse aimed at police by Mullan.
The judge said that his concern was while Mullan had shown he could stop drinking it was coming up to Christmas and temptation.
Mr. Quigley said that Mullan was a street drinker, he didn't drink in pubs but on the street and usually in the city centre.
Judge McElholm said he would give Mullan a chance and released him on his own bail of £500.
He has to report to police daily and is not allowed to consume alcohol of non proscribed drugs.
He is also prohibited from going within a one mile radius of the City Walls.
Mullan will be sentenced on December 12 after a pre-sentence report is prepared.
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