Derry Court: Man remanded for allegedly swinging a baseball bat at hostel staff

A man has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court for allegedly swinging a baseball bat at two members of staff at a hostel in the Waterside area.

Michael Gérard Farrell (46) of no fixed abode appeared charged with assaulting two people and possessing a baseball bat on February 21.

The court heard that police were called to the hostel after reports of a male swinging a baseball bat at staff.

The police were told that staff at the hostel had asked the defendant to turn music down and he became verbally abusive.

He was then said to have swung the baseball bat at the staff member causing one of them to have to step back to avoid being struck.

A search of the defendant's room uncovered a baseball bat.

The defendant denied producing or swinging the bat at anyone.

Bail was opposed due to the risk of re-offending and an officer told the court the defendant had 121 previous convictions and had breached bail on 17 previous occasions.

A defence barrister said his client had been moved to Derry and asked for bail to an address closer to his home town.

He said that the defendant had not hit anyone with the bat.

District Judge Ted Magill said it was 'a pretty strong case' and added that Farrell was not 'a safe candidate for bail.'

He was remanded in custody to appear again on March 23.