Dissident fined over public order

Dissident republican, Gary Donnelly, 39, was fined £450 at Londonderry Magistrates Court on Thursday over three public order offences.

District Judge, Barney McElholm convicted Donnelly of assaulting a police inspector, obstructing a police officer and disorderly behaviour.

The judge dismissed two further charges of resisting arrest.

The convictions relate to an incident at Foyle Street in Derry on 16 November 2007.

Donnelly, from Rinmore Drive in the city, sustained a three-part fracture to his left arm during the confrontation with the police officers.

In his judgment, Mr McElholm said he was surprised that, during the incident, no-one took Mr Donnelly's protestations that his arm was broken seriously enough.

Mr McElholm described Mr Donnelly's behaviour on the night as "petulant".

Mr Donnelly has instructed his solicitors to appeal the convictions.