Man stranded in Omagh smashed up public phone at bus depot

A MAN has been ordered to pay for a replacement public phone box after drunkenly smashing it at Omagh Bus Depot, a court has heard.

Kieran Nicholl (41), of Abbeyvale, Dungannon, appeared at Omagh Magistrates Court on Tuesday, where he pleaded guilty to criminal damage.

The court was told that, at around 4am on October 20, police officers on patrol spotted a man damaging the public phone box at the bus depot on Bridge Street.

Nicholl was seen throwing the handset within the phone box, causing damage that later required a full replacement.

When later interviewed, he made full admissions to the offence.

Representing himself in court, Nicholl said he had been trying to contact someone for a lift but became frustrated when his calls went unanswered, leaving him stranded in Omagh.

He admitted he had consumed ‘too much alcohol’ and could barely recall the incident.

Nicholl was fined £250 and ordered to pay £149 in compensation for the damaged phone.