Derry Court: Man (43) bailed on assault charge of woman

Derry Magistrate's Court heard today that a woman who claimed she was assaulted by a man had to get 13 paper stitches to her face and suffered a broken cheek bone.

Damian O'Hara (43) of Kular Court in Derry appeared charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm on a female and making a threat to kill on March 19.

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

The court heard that police were called on March 19 by a female who said she had been assaulted by a man known to her.

She said there had been an argument and alleged the defendant punched her 'repeatedly' in the face.

As he was leaving O'Hara was said to have told her 'I will come back later and kill you.'

The officer said that the alleged victim had attended Altnagelvin Hospital and received treatment for injuries.

He said police tried to locate O'Hara but failed to do so.

The court heard that on April 1 police attended the defendant's address but there was no reply after police knocked for 20 minutes.

Eventually police forced entry and located the defendant.

Bail was opposed due to the risk of re-offending given that O'Hara had 33 previous convictions.

The officer said that the defendant had avoided police for. 11 days while being aware police were looking for him.

The injuries to the woman were described as 'horrific' by the officer.

Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said that the defendant was someone who did not go out very much.

He said in this case he claimed the woman had attacked him and he had pushed her away and she had fallen and banged her head.

The solicitor said that his client 'had been keeping his head down'.

O'Hara was granted bail on condition he does not have any contact with the alleged victim.

He will appear again on April 27.