Derry man remanded after police fire plastic bullet during arrest
John Sweeney (31) faces 13 charges including threats to kill, non-fatal strangulation, and unlawful detention
A man has appeared at Derry Magistrate's Court charged in connection with an incident where police discharged a plastic bullet in order to subdue a man.
John Sweeney (31) of Argyle Terrace in Derry appeared facing a total of 13 charges relating to the incident on August 9.
He was charged with three counts of assault, three counts of unlawful detention, three counts of threats to kill, possession of an offensive weapon, non fatal strangulation and criminal damage to a mobile phone.
A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail.
The court heard that police attended an address after the alleged injured party reported her former partner had assaulted her.
She said she had been attending the address and Sweeney kept 'pushing and nudging' her.
She claimed she tried to leave and Sweeney stopped her by blocking the door causing her to feel 'trapped'.
The court heard that Sweeney was supposed to have cut his own throat and wrists and threatened to kill her.
The woman left the property but returned out of concern for the defendant and claimed Sweeney slapped her across the face and threatened to kill her.
Bail was opposed due to the risk of reoffending.
Defence counsel Sinead Rogan said that her client was only on bail for a short period.
She said that the alleged injured party had attended Sweeney's address and he had not sought her out.
The barrister said that the woman had her own issues.
Deputy District Judge Sean O'Hare said that Sweeney had been given a chance when released on bail last week but had since 'made a number of wrong choices'.
He refused bail and remanded the defendant in custody to appear again on September 3.