An Armagh man who is accused of assaulting his ex-partner causing her actual bodily harm breached bail by attending her home, a court heard.
The 50-year-old’s solicitor claimed that his client had attended the alleged injured party’s property after receiving threats from alleged “paramilitaries”, although it was accepted that police disputed this.
Jeremy John Ryan, of Killuney Drive, appeared on foot of a breach of bail at Newry Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, via videolink from police custody.
This bail was in relation to a single count of alleged assault occasioning actual bodily harm for which the defendant was due to appear before Armagh Magistrates’ Court next week.
Objecting to Ryan’s release, a constable outlined that on April 27, at 7.30pm, police received a report from the alleged injured party that the defendant, her ex-partner, had attended her address under the influence.
Officers subsequently attended and arrested Ryan, with a preliminary breath test being conducted resulting in a fail.
The constable informed court that conditions of the defendant’s bail included not to consume alcohol, not to contact the alleged injured party and not to be within the vicinity of her home.
She described the index offence as a “domestic incident” in which the alleged injured party is a “vulnerable” person.
Court was also informed that this was the second breach of this bail, the first occurring just two weeks prior.
Outlining objections, the constable stated that police feared that Ryan would re-offend, return to the alleged injured party’s home and not adhere to conditions of his bail.
Defence solicitor Jarlath Fields told court that his client had a “very limited record” or involvement with the police until he began the “on-off relationship” with the alleged injured party.
Addressing the previous breach, the solicitor commented that on that occasion Ryan had been contacted by his ex-partner, which was evident from the addition to his bail that he inform police if she were to contact him.
Mr Fields stated: “They both have alcohol issues and they often lean on each other for support.”
He claimed that Ryan had gone to his ex-partner’s home after he received threats from alleged “paramilitaries”, although it was accepted that police disputed this.
Deputy District Judge Anne Marshall stated: “You have tried very hard but he is on bail for very serious offences of domestic violence against a vulnerable injured party.
“He may have been under threat but he could have contacted the police. The one place that he was told not to go is the one place that he did go.”
Bail was refused and Ryan was remanded in custody to appear before Armagh Magistrates’ Court on May 25 for an update in the case.
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