Man in court for threatening young woman with fence post

A Letterkenny teenager has taken up bail after being charged with threatening a young woman with a piece of wooden fencing.

John McGinley, aged 18 from Glenwood Park, was also charged with assault causing harm to the woman.

McGinley also faced further charges over the alleged incident, in the early hours of Saturday morning, including stealing an Oppo mobile telephone and criminal damage to the phone.

He was charged with producing an article, namely a piece of wooden fencing, during the course of a dispute.

The accused was brought before a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court on Saturday. The accused's parents were present in court.

Sergeant Jim Collins opposed a bail application for McGinley, who he said had shown a 'total disregard for bail conditions'. McGinley is currently on bail on another matter, but has not signed on at a Garda Station since January 11.

Sergeant Collins said there was a concern that the accused would commit further serious offences if granted bail.

Solicitor Mr Rory O'Brien, for McGinley, said the accused has just recently turned 18 and has no previous convictions.

McGinley lives in the area and is not a flight risk, Mr O'Brien said.

Sergeant Collins said there was a concern over the possible interference with witnesses and also a concern over the likelihood of him committing other serious offences

Judge Liddy said that on the basis that the injured party resides in Strabane, the matter could be dealt with by way of conditions and a cash lodgement.

Judge Liddy said McGinley should stay out of the Lifford-Strabane area, have no contact, either directly or indirectly, with the alleged victim and remain of sober habits.

A curfew was imposed on McGinley between the hours of 11pm and 7am and he is to sign on daily at Letterkenny Garda Station with a phone number provided on which he must be contactable 24/7.

McGinley was initially remanded in custody with consent to bail on his own cash lodgement of 200 and an independent surety of 500.

McGinley's grandmother later attended court to act as surety and McGinley was bailed to appear again before Monday's sitting of Letterkenny District Court.