The Berwickshire has the edge over the Mourne Observer in most areas but it would be hard for Sheriff Kevin ofDuns to compete with the local Norn Iron courts with regard to some of the cases reported in the Six Counties. Sectarian Behaviour is a crime-rather like offences under the Race Relations Act on the Mainland (Great Britain) A Downpatrick man was bound over for two years for calling someone a 'Fenian b****** (The asterisks are the paper's) Not, note A Fenian b*****' He was apparently was 'not himself' having being taking a 'range of medications' for some time. He seems to be regarded as a bit of a local nuisance as 15 neighbours came forward to level complaints against him regarding a number of offences which were 'not divulged in open court'. The defendant complained he could remember nothing as he was 'involuntarily intoxicated' (Someone had bought him a drink against his will?) The Magistrate was not impressed and said that the behaviour was grossly offensive. We are at least spared that sort of thing in the Merse.
