A GRANDMOTHER has appeared in court accused of breaking into a house armed with a knife to cause her daughter's partner grievous bodily harm.
Philomena Phyllis Anne Hillan, from Norglen Parade in west Belfast, appeared in Belfast Magistrates Court today.
The court heard that an independent witness claimed they saw Hillan climbing through the window of another house on Norglen Parade on Easter Monday.
The complainant in the case, who is the father of Hillan's 18-month old grandchild, claimed he was forced to hide in a bedroom while she threatened him.
The 55-year old is facing two charges arising from the incident - trespassing with the intention of causing GBH, and of possessing an offensive weapon.
A solicitor for Hillan said that while she admitted being in the house, she denies she was armed with a knife.
The court heard Hillan had been in custody since her arrest on Monday. When an application for bail was made, Deputy District Judge Liam McStay was told that police were objecting.
A police constable revealed that on Easter Monday, Hillan banged the bedroom door and said "open the door, I am going to kill you". He also claimed she caused damage in the downstairs area of the house, including slashing the tyres of a bicycle.
The officer said bail was opposed for reasons including concerns about her alcohol and medication consumption which he felt could lead to further offences against the complainant.
Hillan's solicitor told Mr McStay that the allegation regarding the knife was being "vigorously contested". He also said an element of the history between Hillan and the complainant was linked to the complainaint "goading" Hillan about the death of her brother.
Asking that she be granted bail, the solicitor put forward an address in Dunmurry.
Deputy District Judge Liam McStay branded the charges as "alarming", saying she went round to the house "in a rage".
Addressing the grandmother, Mr McStay told her he would grant her bail with conditions imposed.
"This is a one-time offer. If you breach bail, you will go back into custody," he said.
Hillan was ordered to reside at the suitable address in Dunmurry, stay out of the Norglen area, told to observe a 10pm to 7am curfew and was also banned from consuming alcohol.
She was also told to appear before the same court next month.
