Northern Ireland

Derry man (27) charged with assaulting his mother and grandmother remanded into custody

Sean Paul Boyle was remanded into custody at Derry Magistrate's Court
Sean Paul Boyle was remanded into custody at Derry Magistrate's Court Sean Paul Boyle was remanded into custody at Derry Magistrate's Court

A MAN charged with assaulting his mother and grandmother has been remanded into custody at Derry Magistrate's Court.

Sean Paul Boyle (27) of Marianus Park in Derry was charged with two counts of assault on his mother and grandmother, threat to kill against his grandmother, possessing an offensive weapon namely a metal pole and vehicle tampering, all of which were said to have occurred on July 1.

He was also charged with disorderly behaviour at Altnagelvin Hospital on July 2.

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

The court was told that police were called to a report of an incident in Lisfannon Park. They spoke to the alleged injured party, the defendant's grandmother, who said Boyle had arrived at her home and she had let him in.

She said he appeared calm and took a beer from the fridge.

A taxi was phoned but when it arrived Boyle refused to get into it.

He brandished a metal hoover pole and was alleged to have said to his grandmother, 'I could kill you now and get away with it'.

When the woman tried to phone police Boyle was said to have grabbed her by the throat and taken the phone from her.

He later offered to give it back if the woman paid him £20.

The woman then received a call from her daughter, the defendant's mother, who was said to be 'panicked and anxious' and who said she had seen the defendant and he had come over and jumped on her car.

The police officer said that Boyle was taken to Altnagelvin Hospital where he became 'agitated' and used offensive language.

At interview Boyle made no comment. Bail was opposed due to the risk of re-offending.

Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley claimed it was "a minor family dispute", but accepted that it was "not an easy bail application".

District Judge Oonagh Mullen refused bail and Boyle was remanded in custody to appear on July 28.