An Irish history student at Queen's University in Belfast was cleared yesterday of obstructing an RUC constable by giving his name and address in Irish after a dispute, but convicted of disorderly behaviour.
Eoin O'Clerigh, 21, a fluent Irish speaker, from Lisgullion Park, Newry, Co Down, was detained after a disturbance outside his Belfast flat last August.
Defence barrister Mr Jonathan Browne told Belfast Magistrates Court that O'Cleirigh was an Irish national and was registered at Queen's University as an Irish person.
He said O'Cleirigh was simply being honest and forthright as his name and address were Irish and if he had given them in English he could have been accused of misleading the authorities.
Mr Browne said the Belfast Agreement referred to linguistic diversity and urged positive action to remove anything that would discourage the use of the Irish language.
He said that under the Human Rights Act, O'Cleirigh was entitled to give his name and address in the language of his choice as well as freedom against discrimination on grounds of race, religion or political belief.
Magistrate Mr Paul McRandall referred to the "interesting and innovative" agruments regarding the use of Irish by the defendant.
He said the obstruction was cured by him being taken to Donegall Pass police station where he was charged after his details were elicited.
He dismissed the charge and said it was not necessary to rule on the various points raised under the Belfast Agreement and the Human Rights legislation.
Convicting O'Cleirigh of disorderly behaviour, he fined him £250.