Man charged with series of domestic abuse offences refused bail

A man has appeared in Derry Magistrates Court charged with threats to kill, possession of an offensive weapon, assault and criminal damage, all of which involved domestic abuse.

Damian O'Hara (44) of Kular Court in Derry was charged with the offences that were said to have occurred between February 27 and 28.

Police were initially called to the scene of a domestic incident on February 28 where a woman said that her boyfriend was going to slit her throat.

Police went to O'Hara's address and made their presence known. O'Hara refused to let them in and police had to enter the property themselves, arresting him.

Police said that O'Hara had entered his partner's property and threw a glass candle at her, missing but causing damage when it broke.

She then claimed that O'Hara grabbed her by the hair and slammed her head into the door.

When the victim went to get him alcohol, as he had demanded, O'Hara was said to have grabbed a knife, telling her that he would 'stab her in the throat and watch her die'.

O'Hara made no comment when interviewed by police but court heard that he was also due to appear in court for another domestic incident from August last year, also involving making threats to kill with a knife.

Police said that O'Hara had 35 previous convictions, including a number for assault and breaking court orders. They opposed bail, saying that O'Hara was at a clear risk of reoffending.

Defence solicitor Keith Kyle said that this was an 'obviously very serious incident' but said that both O'Hara and the injured party had 'been together drinking'. 

He also said that the victim did not show injuries consistent with the allegations.

Bail was refused and O'Hara will appear again on March 28.