Maghaberry prisoner threw bottle of urine over three officers

Lisburn Magistrates’ Court heard that 29-year-old Martin Mongan launched the first of two similar attacks on January 19 this year.

A prosecuting lawyer described how Mongan demanded to speak to a senior officer when two guards delivered his evening meal and when that third officer arrived, he “lifted a container of suspected urine and threw it at them”.

One officer was hit in the face by the bottle, causing “stinging to his eyes” and the liquid “splashed” his two colleagues, said the lawyer.

Mongan later pleaded guilty to three counts of common assault.

Defence solicitor Adrian Harvey conceded it was “an appalling offence” and revealed that it was the first of two similar attacks, the second of which happened the following day.

Mr Harvey further revealed that Mongan is serving a seven-year sentence for wounding and told the court that at the time he attacked the prison guards, he was being housed in an area with inmates he perceived as “enemies” so he was trying to force a move.

The lawyer said it was ironic that the later offence had already been dealt with by a four-month sentence, to be served consecutively to his current sentence, submitting that if this offence was being dealt with at the same time, there would have been no difference to the sentence.

District Judge Peter King disagreed, however, telling Mongan, who appeared via video link, that as his “appalling behaviour” happened on two consecutive days that “enables me to impose consecutive sentences”.