Man sings ‘Born Free’ in court

A Cork man has been remanded in custody after he sang ‘Born Free’ in a Derry courtroom where he was appearing on a disorderly behaviour charge.

Nicholas Roper, aged 49, from Youghal, was arrested in Altnaglevin Hospital on Saturday. Derry Magistrates Court heard yesterday that he stripped naked in a police van and refused to come into the court room.

When he eventually appeared, he started to sing and refused to stop. He was dressed and handcuffed to a police sergeant during the hearing, and he ignored questions from the court clerk, sergeant, and the judge.