RIP: Tragic update from gardaí as search for missing boy (14) is stood down
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14 Dec 2025
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14 Dec 2025
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Derry Magistrates' Court
A man has appeared at Derry Magistrates' Court charged with assaulting his 79-year-old father after the defendant had returned to the city for the funeral of his mother.
William Shiels (53) with an address at Blenheim Rise, Banbury in Oxfordshire in England appeared charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm on his father with intent on April 12.
A police officer connected the accused to the charge and opposed bail.
The court heard that police were alerted by a panic alarm and went to an address and found the alleged victim, the defendant's father, lying on the ground with blood on him and blood coming from his ear.
The man told police that he had been assaulted by his son who had come from England for his mother's funeral.
He said that the couple had been separated for many years.
The man said he could not recall details of the assault but said his son had come to his address and was 'aggressive' and the court was told that the man was 'confused'.
At interview Shiels said he had no relationship with his father for 40 years but went to speak to him.
He claimed his father had headbutted him first and he had headbutted him in return and the father had fallen and hit his head on a TV cabinet.
In a phone call to his brother, Shiels is supposed to have said he was 'lucky he didn't kill him'.
He also admitted to police he had kicked the alleged victim while he was on the ground.
Bail was opposed due to the risk of flight as the defendant has no contacts in this area and may not return to the jurisdiction.
Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said fortunately the injuries were not as serious as first feared.
He said there were 'unresolved issues' between the pair and he had gone to see his father to resolve them.
The solicitor said that the defendant could lodge a cash surety to ensure he turned up.
Bail was granted with a cash surety of £2,000 and on condition he has no contact with the alleged victim.
He will appear again on May 8.
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