Bail denied for County Derry man who evaded police for ten months

A man who has 'been actively avoiding police' for ten months has appeared at Derry Magistrate's Court charged with a number of offences, including harassment and making threats to kill.

Patrick McKinney (41) of York Avenue in Portstewart was charged with making threats to damage property and endanger life on September 11 last year.

He was also charged with, on November 13 last year, harassment and making threats to kill and threats to damage property and, on September 13 last year, making threats to kill and threats to damage property as well as sending threatening messages via social media.

Finally, on June 23 last year, he was charged with improper use of public electronic communication.

Police were called following reports of McKinney making threats to one of the injured parties on Facebook, as well as threatening her brother.

Among the messages, he was reported to have said 'Sleep with one eye open. I'm coming for you'.

Police say they attended his address but were refused entry by a female.

Warrants were issued for him in April, July and September last year but he had until now evaded police.

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Bail was refused as Deputy District Judge Brian Archer said he saw no reason to release him as he had 'a very poor record and was facing very serious charges'.

He will appear again on February 26.