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29 Dec 2025

Derry man charged with a series of domestic offences remanded in custody

Owen Gallagher (33) of Ederowen Park in Derry appeared charged with non-fatal strangulation of a female, threat to kill, causing grievous bodily harm to the same female, breaching a Restraining Order and trespass with intent to cause GBH

Suspended sentence for Donegal man at Derry Magistrate's Court

Derry Magistrates' Court

Reporter:

Court Reporter

29 Dec 2025 3:33 PM

Email:

news@derrynow.com

A man has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrates' Court charged with a series of domestic offences. 
Owen Gallagher (33) of Ederowen Park in Derry appeared charged with non-fatal strangulation of a female, threat to kill, causing grievous bodily harm to the same female, breaching a Restraining Order and trespass with intent to cause GBH.
All of the offences were said to have occurred on Christmas Day and were aggravated by domestic abuse. 
A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail. 
He told the court a third party had contacted them to say two people had been 'running down the street covered in blood'.
Police responded but there was no one at home but the house showed signs of a dispute.
Police spoke to the woman who said she had been at home with her daughter and her former partner, Gallagher, arrived and was acting 'aggressive'.
She said he left and then returned and tried to force his way in and when he succeeded he 'punched and slapped her' and the woman said she had punched him back.
The woman claimed Gallagher had grabbed her by the throat until she passed out and when she came around he was pulling her downstairs by the hair.
She told police it was 'a totally unprovoked attack'. 
The woman went to Altnagelvin Hospital the next day for treatment as she didn't want to leave her children on Christmas Day. 
Bail was opposed due to the risk of reoffending as the defendant has 14 previous convictions and was deemed a 'high risk' perpetrator of domestic violence. 
Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that his client have a different account of events claiming the woman had attended his family home for dinner and told him the order was no longer in force.
The solicitor said Gallagher said the woman asked him to bring her some cigarettes and when he did she became aggressive and attacked him along with two males.
Mr MacDermott said that there were 'two competing accounts' and added there was 'a very confused version of events'.
Deputy District Judge John Connolly said this would have been 'a terrifying incident' and remanded Gallagher in custody to appear again on January 22.

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