Derry Court: Judge says defendant had 'only himself to blame' for remand in custody

A man who was remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court today had 'only himself to blame' District Judge Barney McElholm said.

Sean O'Hara (41) of Kular Court in Derry appeared charged with breaching his bail on February 4 by being late for his curfew. 

A police officer told the court that this was O'Hara's third breach of bail since December.

Defence counsel Sinead Rogan said her client had not realised the time and had only missed his curfew by a small period. 

She asked for one final opportunity for her client. 

Judge McElholm said that the defendant had been given 'a final warning.'

He said that if the court did not enforce bail conditions they might as well do away with the bail system altogether. 

He remanded O'Hara in custody to appear again on February 15.