Man accused of attacking brother

A DUNGANNON man, with a substantial criminal record, has been charged with assaulting his brother in an “unprovoked attack”.

Jason Duffy (32), of Sloan Street, is alleged to have attacked his brother as he slept last Monday (January 3) evening. He appeared before Omagh Magistrates Court by videolink from custody. He was granted bail, although it was strongly opposed by the PSNI.

A police officer told the court that Duffy gave his brother a black eye and accused him of stealing his mobile phone. When arrested, he replied “no comment” to all questions put to him by police.

A police officer opposed bail and described the defendant as a “prolific offender with a total of 69 convictions, mostly for theft, and a heroin addict with a propensity for violence towards his family, friends and strangers”.

He added that Duffy had three previous convictions for breaches of bail last year and was convicted of intimidating a witness.

Police were also unable to locate him when he was previously on bail and he claimed he had Covid. However he failed to provide proof that he had contracted Covid or take a medical test.

The PSNI officer stated, “Last year he breached a suspended sentence. He came to police attention 30 times in 2021 for different incidents. He is currently being monitored by the Police Reduction Offender Unit. In four weeks time he will be up in court on other matters. It is believed if he is released he will appear before the court again.”

Defence barrister Noel Dillon suggested that the alleged victim of the attack had a “more extensive criminal record and a greater propensity for violence”. The police officer replied, “I wouldn’t like to comment on that. The victim states it was unprovoked and he was asleep. It happened at a family friend’s address.”

Mr Dillon added that both Duffy brothers have “addiction issues”. He also suggested that the further cooperation of the alleged victim in the case “may be up in air”. He stated, “Both have issues and violence is particularly prevalent”.

District judge, Peter Prenter, granted bail in the sum of £500. He ordered the defendant to have no contact, either directly or indirectly, with his brother. Jason Duffy will appear back before the Magistrates Court on Friday, January 14.