A south Armagh trio who are accused of a litany of offences which include allegations of serious assault will face Crown Court proceedings next month.
The two male and one female defendants appeared at Newry Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday for the purposes of a preliminary enquiry (PE), the legal process during which a case is referred to the higher court.
Patrick Kelly, 68, of New Line in Dromintee, is charged with grievous bodily harm with intent, possession of an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence, criminal damage, common assault and threats to damage property.
Meanwhile, Joseph Kelly, 31, and also of New Line, is charged with possession of an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence, common assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, criminal damage and theft.
The third defendant, Annette Greta Donaghy, 29, of Art McCooey Park in Crossmaglen, faces two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, theft, two counts of criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence.
As the charges were read, it was heard that all of the alleged offences were said to have occurred on December 8, 2018.
The assaults relate to two alleged injured parties, one male and one female.
All three defendants are alleged to have caused criminal damage to a Nissan X-Trial belonging to the male, with Donaghy also accused of damaging a front door.
Donaghy and Joseph Kelly are both alleged to have stolen a dash cam.
And all three are accused of being in possession of an offensive weapon, in the case of Donaghy a metal bar, Patrick Kelly a wooden pole and Joseph Kelly a spanner.
Patrick Kelly is also further accused of making a threat to damage a property.
Appearing in court, all three accused made no objection to the holding of a preliminary enquiry.
Prosecution submitted that based on the papers before the court there was a prima facie case to answer.
Defence counsels for each defendant made no contrary submissions.
District Judge Eamonn King was satisfied there was a prima facie case to answer and the defendant was released on them on their own bail of £750 to appear before Newry Crown Court on February 18 for arraignment.
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