Derry Court: Bail opposed due to risk of re-offending in domestic violence case

A judge at Derry Magistrate's Court today said there was 'nothing surer' if he released a local man he would get together with his former partner and there would be an incident.

Kieran Breslin (42) of Clooney Terrace in Derry appeared charged with assaulting a female on January 12 and the charge is aggravated by domestic abuse.

A police officer connected the accused to the charge and opposed bail.

The court heard that police were called to an address where a woman told them her former partner, Breslin, had assaulted her begore leaving the premises.

She said they had been drinking together when Breslin's 'mood had shifted' and he had punched her in the face several times.

The officer said that there was swelling around the woman's eye and blood on her nose.

After being arrested Breslin said he 'didn't remember anything' and that he must have blacked out.

He said the pair had drunk '3 bottles of Prosecco each' and he knew nothing until he ended up in the police station.

Bail was opposed due to the risk of re-offending which the police officer said was 'very high'.

He said Breslin had 50 previous convictions and if released police believed he would go back to the domestic setting.

Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said that it was difficult to argue with anything that the police had said.

He said that when interviewed Breslin had bite marks on his arm which he claimed had been caused by the woman.

The solicitor said that alcohol 'was the absolute key' to the offending.

He asked for bail with conditions.

District Judge Barney McElholm said that Breslin would proceed to ignore any conditions.

He refused bail and remanded Breslin in custody to appear again on January 26.