Donegal man banned from entering Derry arrested in possession of knife in public

A man who is banned from entering Derry as part of his bail conditions was arrested in Waterloo Place allegedly in possession of a lock knife the local Magistrate's Court heard today.

Michael Stapleton (28) with an address in Burtonport in County Donegal appeared charged with possessing a knife on December 10 and breaching a restraining order on October 7 and December 6.

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

He told the court that police were called to a report of a man acting suspiciously outside the Guildhall on December 10.

They found Stapleton who was in breach of his bail by being in the city.

A lock knife with a 9.5cm blade was found in his possession.

The two breaches of the restraining order were said to relate to e-mails sent to his former partner.

When interviewed about the knife Stapleton said he had it because he was a fisherman.

He added that 'it is not an offence to carry a knife if I am not going to kill someone.'

As regards breaching the orders Stapleton said 'I should be able to see my son.'

The officer said that Stapleton had 17 previous convictions 10 of them relating to his former partner.

Defence solicitor Jack Quigley said that this defendant was someone the court needed no introduction to.

He said this man's family had tried to get him help on numerous occasions.

The solicitor said that the e-mails were not threatening.

District Judge Barney McElholm told Stapleton that if he wanted to see his son 'flouting the law' and breaching orders was not going to help his case.

The judge said 'this man is not going to change' and refused bail.

Stapleton was remanded in custody to appear again on December 14.