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Man charged with attempted murder of young mother who died 16 months later denied compassionate bail

Michael O'Connor was denied compassionate bail to attend a relative's funeral in west Belfast today
Michael O'Connor was denied compassionate bail to attend a relative's funeral in west Belfast today Michael O'Connor was denied compassionate bail to attend a relative's funeral in west Belfast today

A MAN charged with an attack on a young mother who later died was yesterday denied compassionate bail to attend a relative's funeral after he was described as being at a "flight risk".

Michael O’Connor (32), who is originally from west Belfast, is currently in custody at Maghaberry Prison awaiting trial for the attempted murder of and grievous bodily harm of Joleen Corr.

The 27-year-old mother-of-one sustained severe brain injuries in an attack in her home in Downpatrick in December 2016.

Originally from the Beechmount area of west Belfast, the trained beautician never recovered, spending the next six months in the neurological unit in the Royal Victoria Hospital.

She was then transferred to Musgrave Park Hospital in Belfast where she was treated in a specialist brain injury clinic.

However, doctors told her parents it was unlikely she would ever recover from the head injuries.

The young woman passed away at the Northern Ireland Hospice in April this year.

Yesterday, the man charged in connection with the alleged assault applied for compassionate bail to attend the funeral of a relative, who is due to be buried in west Belfast today.

Newtownards Magistrates Court heard that the woman, Ursula McCabe, who had died suddenly earlier this week in the Beechmount area, was a second cousin of O'Connor.

Objecting to the bail, Crown counsel David McClean told the court that O'Connor was at "massive risk of flight" and there were concerns about the potential to interfere with witnesses as the funeral is due to take place in west Belfast in "close proximity" to where "quite a number" of people involved in the case live.

He revealed that, while the defendant is currently charged with attempted murder and grievous bodily harm, the Public Prosecution Service is "currently considering a murder charge in relation to the matter".

Defence solicitor Patrick Madden told the court that his client's mother had previously acted for surety for her son as she had been "deemed suitable".

In addition, he said the defendant had "nothing to gain" from interference with witnesses.

Denying bail, Judge Grant said the deceased was not of "close family connection" and along with other factors raised it would "not be appropriate" to grant bail.