Tyrone man ‘bit off ear and crashed car’

A TYRONE man has been accused of biting part of his cousin’s ear off, after stealing his car and crashing it into a wall, a court has heard.

John McDonagh (30), who lives at Cathedral Close in Clogher, is facing a total of nine charges, including grievous bodily harm with intent, aggravated taking of a vehicle, driving while unfit due to drink or drugs, failure to provide a specimen, using a vehicle without insurance, not having a driving licence, burglary and criminal damage on January 2.

When the defendant appeared before Strabane Magistrates Court on Thursday, the PSNI opposed bail on the grounds they believed there was a high likelihood McDonagh might reoffend due to his ‘lengthy’ criminal record.

A police officer told the court that officers had arrested McDonagh after arriving at the scene of a serious assault in a property at Main Street, Clogher.

At the scene, police found the defendant’s cousin, who had several bite marks on his arms and legs and part of his ear was missing. He claimed the injuries had been inflicted when he was attacked by McDonagh.

Police also believe that, earlier on the same day, McDonagh had stolen a Land Rover belonging to his cousin and crashed it into a wall just outside the town.

The PSNI further believe he then made his way to a property on Main Street where he had a disagreement with the alleged injured party and seriously assaulted him.

The court heard that, during police interview, McDonagh denied the assault. He stated that, after entering the home, he was attacked and was then witness to a fight between two relations of his in the property.

McDonagh’s solicitor Patrick Roche, told the court that, during the interview, his client had made a formal complaint that he was assaulted and denied being involved in the fight and attacking his cousin.

The solicitor then questioned police, asking if they had followed-up on this accusation.

The officer who was giving evidence said that he could not give a reason why the PSNI had not made any enquiries.

However, he did reveal that the man who was assaulted was still in hospital.

While accepting his client had an ‘extensive’ previous record, Mr Roche said the defendant had never been prosecuted for any violent crimes.

District Judge Oonagh Mullan said that she believed that the amount of information she had received from the police officer in court regarding the incident was ‘insufficient’.

The judge observed that, due to this, she would have to give bail to McDonagh, but under strict conditions.

These included the defendant not being allowed to be in a vehicle and not being allowed in the vicinity of Main Street, Clogher.

McDonagh is due to appear before Dungannon Magistrates Court on February 7.