Derry man who allegedly claimed he 'killed' someone refused bail over serious assault
Judge refuses bail for 28-year-old defendant, citing a significant record of prior offending.
Derry Magistrate's Court heard today how a man was under the influence of drugs so much that it was 21 hours before he was deemed fit to be interviewed.
Bernard McFadden (28) of Bishop Park in Derry appeared charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm on a man on November 2 2026.
He was also charged with entering a premises as a trespasser with intent to cause grievous bodily harm on the same date.
A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail.
The court heard that police were called to Clon Elagh where a female informed them that McFadden had told her he thought he might have killed someone at another address.
The defendant was present covered in blood and the woman showed police a video of McFadden shouting 'I'm have killed him, I have killed him' and there was 'a significant amount of blood on him.'
Police located the injured man who said McFadden had forced his way into his home and punched him to the face.
The police officer said when arrested McFadden was unfit to be interviewed for 21hours and was suffering from 'opiate withdrawal'.
The court heard that he was in such a state he had to be carried to the reception desk on two occasions.
Bail was opposed as the defendant has 36 previous convictions and was on bail for 'violent offences' and so there was 'a clear risk of further offences'.
Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said the alleged victim had not made a statement and the evidence was based on someone else's account.
He said it may be some time before the case came to court and asked for bail 'on stringent conditions'.
District Judge Suzanne Rice said McFadden had 'a significant record of offending' and said she was not satisfied McFadden would comply with conditions.
Bail was refused and the defendant was remanded in custody to appear again on November 26.