Derry dissident goes on trial

Gary Donelly denies the charges

A dissident republican has gone on trial charged with assaulting and obstructing police officers in Londonderry two years ago.

Gary Donnelly, 38, from Rinmore Drive in Creggan, denies assault, disorderly behaviour and resisting arrest.

The defendant sustained a broken right arm during the incident in Water Street in November 2007.

A police inspector told the court Mr Donnelly headbutted him in the face. The trial continues.

Londonderry Magistrates Court heard that Mr Donnelly had been acquitted of other charges relating to the police a few hours before the incident took place.

Inspector John Neal said that on the afternoon in question the defendant and two other men were under police observation outside the library in Foyle Street.

He said he decided to search the men for security reasons, and stopped them on Water Street.

He said Mr Donnelly was excitable and verbally abusive and refused to move from a bus parking bay onto the footpath.

Inspector Neal said he told Mr Donnelly that if necessary he would move him onto the footpath. The police witness then decided to arrest the defendant for disorderly behaviour.

He said Mr Donnelly then came towards him and started throwing punches.

Inspector Neal said he then grabbed hold of the defendant and they both fell to the ground together while Mr Donnelly continued to headbutt him on the face.

Inspector Neal said he then applied a pressure point on Mr Donnelly's nose, a technique he had been trained in, and Mr Donnelly started shouting that his arm had been broken.

He said another police officer had his CS spray drawn and was shouting "get back" to the two other men.

He said the defendant was trying to break free so he placed a rigid handcuff on Mr Donnelly's left wrist.

Inspector Neal said that together with another officer he assisted Mr Donnelly to his feet and then coerced the defendant into the rear of a police Land Rover.

He was then taken to Strand Road police station.

Under cross-examination, Inspector Neal agreed there was "little love lost between Mr Donnelly and the police".

He said he was not aware that Mr Donnelly had appeared in court that day.