A Belfast man accused of punching and splitting a stranger’s lip in a city centre restaurant claims he was subjected to a sectarian slur, a court heard.
Ruari Doey (27) also allegedly struck a police officer in the face after being taken to hospital while high on drugs.
But a judge was told he acted in self-defence after being called a “fenian b******” by another customer inside McDonald’s on Donegall Place.
Doey, of Harrington Court, appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court charged with common assault, two assaults on police, disorderly behaviour and criminal damage.
He was arrested at the restaurant in the early hours of Sunday.
An investigating PSNI officer said: “The injured party said another male had punched him in the face, causing a split lip and swelling.
“This was an unprovoked attack on a stranger.”
Due to the amount of drugs Doey had consumed he was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital for medical treatment.
It was claimed that he started shouting and causing a disturbance in the emergency department, spitting on the floor twice.
When Doey was discharged he allegedly directed his aggression at police transporting him from the hospital.
One officer was kicked before another constable was punched in the eye as he tried to apply the accused’s seatbelt.
Doey’s solicitor, Pearse MacDermott, told the court he has little memory of events at the hospital because of the drugs taken.
However, the lawyer confirmed his client is claiming to have acted in self-defence inside the restaurant.
“He says he was going into McDonald’s when the alleged injured party called him a ‘fenian b******’ and made moves towards him,” Mr MacDermott submitted.
“CCTV footage from McDonald’s will have to be viewed.”
Doey was granted bail under conditions which include a ban on any contact with the alleged victim.
District Judge George Conner also ordered: “He is not to enter Belfast city centre after 6pm.”