Two men, one of whom is charged with the attempted murder of former DCI John Caldwell, have appeared in court on multiple charges.
Ryan lynch (31) from Edinburgh Park, Omagh and the co-accused who cannot currently be named for legal reasons relating to the attempted murder, are jointly charged with stealing a Volkswagen Golf valued at £5,000 and a wallet containing £400 from a male.
Lynch is also charged will possessing cocaine and cannabis.
The co-accused is charged with assaulting the male.
A police officer told Strabane Magistrates’ Court the charges could be connected, which was challenged by the defence.
While some details were disclosed in court, after a few minutes District Judge Oonagh Mullan opted to read a written copy and nothing further was opened, despite Press requesting this to be done.
Prior to this the court heard the complainant alleging on May 13 he was in a casino in Omagh where he met Lynch.
There was a discussion and the two went outside to the complainant’s vehicle where Lynch allegedly took the keys and left.
Before doing so he instructed the complainant to speak to the co-accused.
The complainant added Lynch on Snapchat then called him and shortly after spoke to the caucused who enquired, “Where have you been hiding?”
He was instructed to drive to the Millstone Restaurant and on arriving there, “The complainant alleges he was assaulted by (co-accused) who punched him to face a number of times and thrown to the ground. The co-accused got into his vehicle and drove it away.”
At this point the judge was invited by the defence solicitor to read the information which she decided to do.
Nothing further on the matter disclosed and it has not been possible to ascertain what details were withheld, save for the judge enquiring what the phrase “take a bump” means and was informed it is to take drugs, possibly cocaine.
The police officer advised further to the report searches were carried out at both Lynch and the co-accused’s properties.
Cannabis and suspected cocaine were recovered from Lynch’s property.
Both men were interviewed and provided no comment responses although pre-prepared statements were submitted, denying all matters.
The co-accused did give an explanation as to how he knew the complainant having previously sold him a vehicle for which money was owed and several different promises were made to pay.
The defence disputed the charges could be connected to either accused contending the complainant accepted taking drugs on a number of occasions at the time and his evidence may not be credible.
“In addition the incident allegedly happened on May 13 but he didn’t contact police until four days later, so the court will have to assess if that is reasonable”, said the defence
However Judge Mullan was satisfied all charges were connected.
Seeking both to be remanded in cusody the officer explained Lynch is currently on bail for domestic violence matters
Turning to the co-accused the court heard there are numerous offences on record including assaults, assisting in a blackmail case, and fraud.”
The officer sad, “He is currently on High Court bail for the attempted murder of DCI Caldwell which was a sophisticated organised crime grouping coming together in a very sinister effort to murder a senior police officer. He is also accused of other matters and was on bail for them when it is alleged he was involved in attempted murder. He was on bail for both when this alleged offence occurred. There is also a matter with the PPS of an alleged assault and theft of a vehicle, in not dissimilar circumstances, in which (co-accused) collided with the car, assaulted the driver and stole the car. It was later found burnt out.”
Judge Mullan refused bail and ordered the pair to appear by video-link at Omagh Magistrates Court on May 27.
