Judge imposes restraining order preventing Greysteel man from contacting parents and sister

A judge has imposed a restraining order preventing a County Derry man from contacting his parents and his sister.

Appearing via video-link before Limavady Magistrates Court on Wednesday was Kieran McKeever, of Dunlade Road in Greysteel.

The 50 year-old was charged with three counts of common assault and resisting police on October 13.

The court heard that the charges arose following at incident which happened at McKeever's parents' home in Greysteel.

Police received a report of a domestic assault at 3.30pm from McKeever's mother who said she and her husband had returned home to find their son in a highly intoxicated state.

When the couple challenged McKeever about his drinking habits, he 'kicked off' and became abusive towards them, the court heard.

McKeever's mother had to step in to prevent the defendant from assaulting his father, who the court heard is aged in his 70s.

The defendant then grabbed his mother by her arm and pushed her away.

He continued to be aggressive and abusive towards his parents and also his sister when she later attended.

The court heard that McKeever made attempts to lunge at both his sister and his father during the incident the property.

While being arrested, he had to be placed in a cell van due to his aggressive behaviour, the court heard.

A solicitor told the court that the father-of-six, who has been in custody since this incident, has an alcohol dependency.

She added that he is 'very ashamed' how he treated his parents and wants to make amends.

The judge said he hoped McKeever will 'seek and obtain' professional assistance before he sentenced him to two months in custody which he suspended for 18 months.

In addition, the judge imposed restraining orders which prevents McKeever from contacting his parents or sister.