Derry Court: 18-year-old who punched police officer released on bail

A 18-year-old man has appeared in court charged with wounding a police officer by punching her in the face causing her to require stitches.

Conlon Boyle whose address was given as Rosskeen Park in Derry appeared charged with a series of offences including assaults on police officers, assaulting a Civilian Detention Officer and criminal damage to a police cell.

All of the offences were said to have occurred on April 29 and 30.

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

The court heard that police were called to an address at Carranbane Walk in the city due to a domestic incident and found Boyle sitting in the garden.

Police helped him to his feet and he was said to have lashed out at officers striking one officer in the eye requiring stitches. 

He was then alleged to have spat directly into officer's faces and was verbally abusive to police and towards his mother using mysoginistic and homophobic language.

Boyle's mother said she had returned about 9pm and her son had flown into a rage before she managed to lock him out.

He then threw objects at the kitchen window and smashed it. 

A witness observed him throwing things at the house. 

When taken into custody Boyle continued to be aggressive and asked a detention officer for a drink of water. 

When thus was brought to him he was said to have thrown it at the officer and also to spit in his face. 

He was also alleged to have urinated in the police cell. 

Bail was opposed due to the risk of re-offending and also that there could be interference with witnesses. 

The officer said that the accused had claimed to be a boxer currently in training for a fight. 

Defence solicitor Hollie Lynch said her client had no record and had never been arrested before. 

She said when he was shown what had occurred at interview he was 'apoligetic' and demonstrated 'profound remorse'.

The solicitor said that the defendant's boxing career was one championship victory when he was aged 13.

She added that Boyle's whole life was in Derry and there was no evidence he would not comply with bail. 

District Judge Michael Ranaghan said that this was 'alleged disgusting behaviour' and a serious injury had been allegedly caused to one officer. 

He said however, the accused had just turned 18 with a clear record and custody would not be 'proportionate'. 

He released Boyle on bail on condition he has no contact with his mother. 

He will appear again on May 25.