A man who allegedly hit his children’s mother on the head with a glass picture while she held their 16 month-old has had his bail application adjourned as the prosecution awaits a full file from police.
Niall John Mallon, 31, of Lagan View, Donaghcloney appeared at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court via video link from Maghaberry on Friday charged with criminal damage, disorderly behaviour, resisting police, two counts of assault on police, burglary with intent to commit grievous bodily harm, common assault and assault causing actual bodily harm.
The alleged offence took place on November 2, last year, it is claimed that the defendant punched the injured party in the face repeatedly until she was on the floor.
He was then alleged to have struck her with a glass picture frame before throwing their 16 month-old child onto a sofa.
The prosecution objected to Mallon’s proposed bail as he had a previous history of assault, breach of a non-molestation order and interference with witnesses.
A constable told the court that the defendant and injured party have two children together who were aged seven weeks and 16 months at the time.
He added that the victim also had two other young children that lived with her.
Due to “the nature of the allegation” it was claimed by the constable the children’s safety was at risk.
Court heard that this had been the first reported incident between these two parties, but Mallon had a history domestic violence.
He had domestic cases brought against him from three different injured parties.
Defence counsel stated that this was the defendant’s first bail application despite being in custody since February 2.
They added that the bail address offered was a “considerable distance” from the injured party and that it could be some time before he faced trial.
District Judge Bernie Kelly stated the “difficulty is, this is a violent incident involving two exceptionally young children”, adding that she had “concern for the children as much as the injured party”.
She commented that Mallon’s “disregard for his own infant child was a grave concern”.
Judge Kelly went onto say the defendant also had a “higher risk of re-offending due to his history of domestic violence”.
The bail application was adjourned for one week to await full file for the prosecution service.
Court heard that this file was already a fortnight late, which Judge Kelly quipped was “equivalent to a month’s prison time”.
She told the constable to get the file to the prosecution quickly, warning she could not keep this man in custody much longer.
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