Officers found man with stab wounds in Dungannon

A MAN found by police “completely covered in blood” initially believed he had been shot, Dungannon Magistrates Court was told.

However, it later transpired he had been stabbed multiple times during an “arranged meet” at Granville Industrial Estate.

The details were revealed at a bail application hearing for the Aidan Holbrook (29), of Mullaghmore Road, Dungannon, who is charged with three offences on November 12.

The first it that he unlawfully and maliciously caused grievous bodily harm to another man with intent to do him grievous bodily harm.

He is also charged with possession of a handgun with intent to cause another person to believe that violence would be used against him or another person.

The third charge is that, without good reason or lawful authority, he had a knife in a public place, namely Granville Industrial Estate.

Giving evidence to the court, a police officer outlined how on November 12 police received a report that a man had been shot and crashed his car outside Dungannon.

When police arrived on the scene, the driver, who is the injured party, was bleeding very badly from wounds to his upper body and head.

He was shouting that he thought he had been shot and was given first aid at the scene.

A passenger in the car gave police an account of what had happened.

It was outlined to the court how there had been an “arranged meet” in the industrial estate.
The officer said CCTV showed two cars arriving followed by the victim’s car. The victim got out of his car and was attacked by two men.

He fled after hearing gunshots, believing he had been hit.

“Both of the witnesses have made statements. They have both named the defendant as being involved along with another yet unknown male,” the officer said.

He added that the two cars used by the alleged assailants have not been recovered, and neither have any guns or weapons been found.

He said there had obviously been a falling-out between the parties involved, who all know each other, and that beforehand quite a few insults had been traded by text message.

The victim thought the meet would at worst be a punch-up – to sort out the differences between them – but he was set upon, the court was told.

The officer said police were objecting to bail on the grounds that the defendant has previous firearm offences.

They also believed there was a strong possibility he would interfere with witnesses and could commit further offences.

District Judge Michael Ranaghan denied bail saying there was a “real possibility, given the serious nature of the alleged incident” that the various parties would come into contact.

He added that the defendant could appeal the decision to the High Court.

Holbrook, who is in custody in Maghaberry Prison, has so far denied any involvement in what took place.