Northern Ireland

Man accused of breaking businessman Kevin Lunney's nose is facing charges of assaulting police during arrest

Kevin Lunney
Kevin Lunney Kevin Lunney

AN amateur boxer accused of breaking Co Fermanagh businessman Kevin Lunney's nose is facing prosecution for allegedly assaulting two police officers during his arrest.

Bernard McGovern (22) appeared before Belfast Magistrates' Court yesterday on charges connected to his detention last month.

A judge was told defence lawyers want to view body-worn footage of the alleged incident before confirming if he will contest the case.

McGovern, of Springtown Road in Kinawley, Co Fermanagh, is facing extradition proceedings after being detained on a European Arrest Warrant.

He is wanted in the Republic over claims he was involved in an attack on two Quinn Industrial Holdings (QIH) executives at a service station in Co Cavan on February 1.

Previous courts were told Mr Lunney suffered a broken nose, while his colleague Dara O'Reilly had a cup of hot water poured onto his face.

McGovern is not accused of any role in separate events last month when Mr Lunney was abducted close to his home.

In that incident the businessman was beaten, stabbed and dumped by a roadside across the border in Co Cavan.

Attempts to have McGovern extradited are on hold pending the outcome of the case against him in Belfast.

He faces charges of assaulting two PSNI officers and resisting police.

The alleged offences were committed on September 19 - the day he was detained on the arrest warrant.

In court yesterday defence solicitor Michael Brentnall confirmed prosecution papers have been served in the case.

But he said: "There is body-worn video which we need to see."

District Judge Peter Magill adjourned the case for two weeks.