Man who begged for prison after Derry assault released on bail
Sean Donaghy (27) with an address at Ivy Hill in Lisburn appeared charged with an assault occasioning actual bodily harm on a random man in Waterloo Place
Derry Magistrate's Court today heard about a man who went to Strand Road PSNI station in the early hours of the morning and demanded to be allowed in and taken back to prison.
Sean Donaghy (27) with an address at Ivy Hill in Lisburn appeared charged with an assault occasioning actual bodily harm on a random man in Waterloo Place in the middle of the afternoon on April 22.
He was also charged with disorderly behaviour and criminal damage to a T-shirt on the same date.
Donaghy was also charged with disorderly behaviour in relation to the incident at the police station.
A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail.
The court heard that on April 22 at 1.15pm police were flagged down and told about 'an unprovoked assault' on a male in Waterloo Place.
They were told that the alleged victim was approached by the defendant and asked was he someone else.
When he said he wasn't the defendant was said to have 'repeatedly punched' him to the head and his T-shirt torn.
The incident was captured on CCTV and the victim had visible injuries.
When Donaghy was arrested he made full admissions and said he had been 'partying' for 24 hours and had been assaulted and had gone looking for the person he believed had assaulted him.
Donaghy was released on police bail to appear again in 28 days.
The court was then told tgat at 2. 30am on April 26 Donaghy presented himself at Strand Road PSNI station demanding to be admitted.
He continually pressed buzzer and when police went out to speak to him he became 'verbally aggressive' to both police and members of the public demanding he be returned to prison.
He shouted 'up the 'RA' and started singing a republican song.
Police opposed bail stating that while Donaghy had a limited record most of his offending was for violent offences.
He had been police bailed with a condition he stay out of Derry so there was 'a clear risk of re-offending.'
Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that the Waterloo Place incident was more serious.
He said his client could be released with a warning and clear conditions.
Bail was granted and Donaghy will appear again on May 28.