A man accused of assault almost three years ago has been denied bail after he was arrested on foot of a European warrant in the Republic of Ireland.
The judge said: “I have no confidence that he will turn up to court again; he made no effort in the past to make contact, I think he will just take to his heels and run.”
Evan Walsh, 22, appeared charged with two counts of criminal damage, resisting police, assault on police and assault occasioning grievous bodily harm at Armagh Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
These offences were accrued over to incidents having alleged to have occurred on November 13 and September 8 of 2016.
It was heard that having been released on bail Walsh failed to answer it on January 30, of 2017.
Following this police were informed by the defendant’s solicitor that he had moved to the Republic of Ireland.
Prosecution stated that bail was objected to due to his record in the south and it was felt that Walsh was unlikely to surrender.
Walsh was arrested on July 15 on an outstanding European arrest warrant and was conveyed to this jurisdiction.
A constable stated: “He has no record in this jurisdiction but he has 26 convictions in the Republic of Ireland, these include 14 criminal damages and two assaults.”
Defence counsel said: “This man was living in Rostrevor after the passing of his brother, he moved to the Republic of Ireland to live with other family, he was aware he had breached bail.
“He has subsequently been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar, there is an address being offered in this jurisdiction with a sister-in-law.”
He continued: “This defendant has been in custody since May 1 he has served two and a half months, the equivalent of five months.
“His co-accused in the GBH case was arrested in England on an arrest warrant and he was re-released on bail, this man has not been in trouble for two and a half years, he has been living in Limerick with his partner and 11-month-old daughter.”
Deputy District Judge Trevor Browne stated: “I have no confidence that he will turn up to court again, he made no effort in the past to make contact.
“I think he will just take to his heels and run, therefore bail is refused”.
The case was adjourned to July 24 at Newry Magistrates’ Court for an update on the file.
