Man remanded at Derry Court charged with possessing an imitation firearm and making threats to kill

A man has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court today charged with possessing an imitation firearm and making threats to kill.

Terry McCorkell (34) of Ardmore Road in Derry appeared to face 7 charges in relation to an incident on December 17.

McCorkell was charged with possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear, assault on a female, falsely imprisoning the same female, possessing the firearm in a different location, making a threat to kill against a man and possessing cocaine.

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

The court heard that police were called to a report of a distressed female.

The reporting party told police the female had claimed the defendant had held a gun to her head.

The man also claimed that McCorkell had pointed a gun at him and made a threat to kill him.

The court heard that the female was drinking at McCorkell's address when he became 'excitable' and was pacing around. 
The woman said he was trying to get some cocaine.

The woman became concerned and tried to get a lift away from the address but was unsuccessful.

She went to the kitchen to get away from McCorkell but he followed her and pulled a gun and held it to her neck.

He then threw her out of the house before throwing her phone and coat after her. 

Shortly afterwards McCorkell tried to coax her back into the house and the woman went back as she was in a rural location. 
Once back inside McCorkell was said to have grabbed her and pushed her head.

He was said to have told her she was not getting out of the property but eventually she managed to leave and went to a neighbour's house.

As the neighbour was taking her to his car to take her home McCorkell allegedly appeared and was tackled to the ground before he got up and pointed the gun threatening 'to shoot him dead.'

When police went to McCorkell's address he said he had disposed of the weapon, which he said was a starting pistol, over a wall.

Police recovered a weapon and a small quantity of cocaine.

The woman has an appointment with police to make a full statement but the neighbours declined due to what the officer said was 'rumours of involvement with paramilitaries'.

The defendant claimed he had taken 6 or 7 vodkas but his memory was poor.

He denied the offences.

Bail was opposed as the offences were 'very serious' and there was a risk of intereference with witnesses.

The officer said both of the alleged victims believed that the weapon was a real one.

She added that any proposed address was too close.

Defence solicitor Paddy McDaid said his client had no criminal record and had an alternative address.

He said that the risks could be managed by conditions.

District Judge Oonagh Mullen said these were 'extremely serious offences.

She said there had to be' something behind this' change in McCorkell's behaviour.

She refused bail and remanded McCorkell was remanded in custody to appear again on January 12.