Blood-stained machete recovered from scene at Elm Avenue

A NUMBER of weapons including a gun, a blood-stained wheel brace, blood-stained machete, an axe, and a baseball bat have been recovered by police investigating a vicious attack in Dungannon.

Three men have been remanded in custody charged in connection with the incident which took place in Elm Avenue last Tuesday.

Appearing before a special sitting of Dungannon Magistrate’s Court on Saturday were uncle and nephew, Don and Lee Hamilton, along with Portuguese national Louis Madeira.

The most serious charge was laid against 30-year-old Lee Hamilton, who was charged with attempted murder, driving while disqualified, affray, and no insurance.

Don Hamilton (41) from Cherryhill, Cookstown, was charged with possession of a hatchet in a public place, possession of a firearm, affray, and dangerous driving.

The third man, Luis Madeira (23) from Elm Avenue, Bush, Dungannon was charged with affray, possession of an offensive weapon, and criminal damage.

Detective sergeant Paul Robinson objected to bail for each of the defendants and all three were remanded in custody.

Both Hamilton defendants will appear again in court on November 29, while Madeira will appear again today (Monday) to allow police time to assess a suitable bail address presented to the court.

BREACH OF RESTRAINING ORDER

In relation to Lee Hamilton the detective explained he has 29 previous convictions, including common assault, criminal damage, riotous and disorderly behaviour, road traffic offences, and serious assault.

He also explained Lee Hamilton was in breach of a restraining order by being within Dungannon town limits.

He explained, “There are concerns that he will fail to appear. He is known to have evaded police in the past, recently he evaded police for a period of two weeks on an armed robbery that he is alleged to have been involved in and he’s currently on police bail for this.

“Police also have serious concerns around witness interference, this incident happened in the vicinity of the accused’s home address so the ability to interfere with witnesses would be very prevalent in this case. There is also fear on the part of other witnesses which has meant they have refused to engage with police for fear of reprisal.

“This incident involves a number of weapons and there is serious violence concerns around that and also the condition of the victim, he currently remains heavily sedated and in a critical condition in the hospital.”

Turning to Maderia the police officer told the court he has three convictions on his criminal record and is subject to a number of police investigations.

He said witness interference was also a concern as he lives within the area of the incident and is the next door neighbour to Lee Hamilton.”

VIOLENT ATTACK

The officer explained Don Hamilton has 46 convictions. He said, “Albeit it riotous behaviour, disorderly behaviour and road traffic offence are the ones that relate to these allegations. There is concern around witness intimidation, there is a domestic motivation to this incident, Don and Lee Hamilton are uncle and nephew, it’s a violent attack against a family member. There were three young children under the age of 12 at the address at the time of the attack and we would have concerns for their safety.”

Fintan McAleer, BL, explained his client (Madeira) had cooperated with police and the charges laid against him were from admissions during interview. He said his client hadn’t met Don Hamilton before Tuesday. The Detective Sergeant confirmed both statements. An alternative address outside of the area was presented to the court which the police asked for time to check.

Colin Donnelly acting for Lee Hamilton explained his client had provided very descriptive events of what had happened. The court heard there are a number of enquiries still ongoing in relation to forensic matters, clothing and house-to-house inquiries still need to be completed, and mobile phone data to be examined.

He explained Lee Hamilton had a number of serious injuries when arrested and required immediate hospital attention.

Mr Donnelly said, “The most serious incident at Elm Avenue involved individuals, not Lee Hamilton, and ended at the family home in a vehicle with a number of weapons in it.”

The detective confirmed one of the vehicles was driven by Don Hamilton and the other by Maderia, he detailed weapons at the scene as including a gun, a blood-stained wheel brace, blood-stained machete, an axe, and a baseball bat.

Lee Hamilton’s defence said he denied the attempted murder charge and would be applying for bail when he could supply an address outside the area.

The Det Sergeant replied, “Due to the gravity of offence and the historic nature of the domestic issues between the Hamilton family which this serious incident has revolved around we have serious concerns if he was released on bail and will object in all circumstances.”

In relations to Don Hamilton, his defence solicitor asked the police officer to confirm the firearm in the case was an imitation weapon. This was agreed by the Det Constable.

He said his client lives in Cookstown, nowhere near the area where the offence took place. And he added that his last offence was 2010 for no vehicle test certificate and the last offence of any relevance is a disorderly behaviour back in 1999.

He also said a £10,000 surety could be offered to the court, and submitted that Don Hamilton is a good candidate for bail.

Bail was refused and all three were remanded in custody.