A MAN who was caught smashing bottles of alcohol in an Enniskillen service station caused over £400 of damage, a court has heard.

Patrick Felix McGrory (55) of Derrin Park Enniskillen was sentenced at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday.

He had previously pleaded guilty to a number of charges, including two counts of criminal damage and burglary with intent to cause unlawful damage, which stemmed from an incident on August 11 of this year.

The court heard how, on that date, police received a report that a male was smashing bottles of alcohol at Lakeside Service Station, Enniskillen.

Police arrived on the scene and located McGrory, who then admitted to damaging a car and smashing the window of a dwelling on the Derrin Road.

He then directed police to where the damage had been caused in the Derrin Road area. He was further arrested for these offences.

Police noted that McGrory appeared paranoid and, as a result, he was taken for a mental health assessment before being taken to Strabane Custody Suite.

A prosecutor said that the cost of damages included £406.65 at Lakeside Service Station and £199.17 for damage to the window of the Housing Executive property.

A quote had not been provided for damage to the car window, but the court heard that McGrory had agreed with the owner to cover these costs.

McGrory's solicitor said that on the day of the incident, his mental health had "began to crescendo."

McGrory's rationale for his actions, she said, was paranoia around "the Continuity IRA and Real IRA."

"These are sad circumstances he finds himself in," the solicitor added, urging Deputy District Judge Browne to afford credit for McGrory's candid admissions to the offences. 

Deputy District Judge Browne said the incident "paints an overwhelming picture of someone in urgent need of help."

Referencing McGrory's "limited means," Judge Browne said he would not be imposing a compensation order and instead handed down a two-year probation order.

As part of this order, McGrory must "attend all appointments arranged with his mental health and medical practitioner and cooperate fully with any care or treatment they recommend".