Derry man charged with assault remanded

A man has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrates' Court for breaching his bail after he admitted charges of assault, criminal damage and disorderly behavior in Altnagelvin Hospital.

Stephen Hargan (39) of Brookdale Park in Derry was charged after, on January 16, police were called to the hospital following reports of a man acting aggressively in A&E.

When police arrived they found Hargan being restrained by ambulance staff and were told that he had been spitting blood at members of staff and tried to bite another. 

Police subsequently arrested him on charges of assault, disorderly behavior and criminal damage.

Upon being interviewed, Hargan claimed that he had been drinking for three days and had no memory of what had happened at the hospital.

He apologized and pleaded guilty to the assault and criminal damage charges.

In a special court in Saturday morning, Hargan was granted bail with conditions including not to be intoxicated in a public place.

On Saturday evening Hargan was again arrested after being spotted by police to be extremely intoxicated in the middle of the road, to the point that he couldn't provide a breath sample.

Police objected to bail as Hargan has 51 previous convictions and they believe there is a clear risk of reoffending and breaching bail.

Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that Hargan 'clearly didn't last long' following his bail being granted but added that he was only out to buy more drink and was on his way home, to which police responded they found Hargan lying in the middle of the road.

District Judge Oonagh Mullan called the nature of his offences 'very serious', remanding him in custody awaiting a Pre-Sentence Report.

He will appear again on February 13.