Man sprayed sectarian graffiti on wall of pub

Colin Kenneth Taylor (35), of Francis Street, was also ordered to pay compensation of 150 to the owner of the bar, after admitting a charge of criminal damage when he appeared at Ballymena Magistrates Court.

The court was told that police tasked to an incident in the Harryville area around 4am on January 1 saw the defendant at the pub, which had sectarian slogans including ‘Taigs out’ and ‘FTP’ sprayed on it.

As police approached, Taylor made off and as police gave chase, the defendant threw a spray can onto the ground as he was running.

It later transpired that the defendant had been barred for life from the pub.

Barrister Stephen Law said Taylor had been out celebrating on New Year’s Eve and was “totally intoxicated”.

Taylor had initially been barred from the premises - his local pub - for three months as a result of his language and at the end of that period had gone back to the pub to apologise only to be told the proprietor had since barred him for life.

As he made his way home on January 1, he had met relatives outside the bar who had told Taylor that his cousins were inside and he went inside to wish them a happy new year and was reprimanded by the proprietor and other customers.

“Perhaps fuelled by drink, he was aware that some of the patrons in the pub were not of a co-religion (to his own) and they were particularly vocal in their representations to have him removed.

“He went home, obtained and aerosol can and sprayed disgraceful comments on the premises.”

Taylor’s actions had been “somewhat cowardly”, added Mr Law.

Sentencing Taylor, District Judge Des Perry said he was concerned about the “sectarian nature” of the case.