Man charged over Ballyshannon stabbing will fully defend charge, court hears
A previous court heard that the injured party underwent surgery and is in a stable condition
A man charged with assault causing harm to a male who then required surgery for stab wounds will fully defend the charge, his solicitor said.
Stephen Fitzpatrick, 58, of 10 Assaroe View, Ballyshannon was before Ballyshannon District Court on Friday, February 7. He is charged that on January 31, 2025 at Assaroe View, Ballyshannon, he assaulted Daniel Fox - Orton causing him harm. The charge is contrary to section 3 (1) and 3 (2) of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997 as amended by section 20 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2023.
Fitzpatrick had previously charged and granted bail at a special sitting of Sligo District Court on Saturday, February 1, and the matter adjourned to Ballyshannon.
The previous court sitting in Sligo heard that Fitzpatrick claimed he acted in self defence in the stabbing incident that left a man in intensive care. When arrested and charged by Detective Garda Shane Maye of Ballyshannon Garda Station, Fitzpatrick replied: “Nothing only that he attempted to kill me and I defended myself.”
The court heard that the injured party was alleged to have entered Fitzpatrick’s bedroom “roaring” before he grabbed the accused man.
Fitzpatrick was alleged to have got hold of a Leatherman multi tool and stabbed the injured man “multiple times” to the chest, upper body and neck. The weapon has been seized by gardaí.
The injured party was not able to give his version of events at that juncture due to his condition in hospital.
Fitzpatrick was granted bail in his own bond of €500, nil cash. He was ordered to sign on four times a week at Ballyshannon Garda Station, to have no contact in any way whatsoever, either directly or indirectly, including through social media, with any witnesses or the alleged injured party. Fitzpatrick was ordered to surrender any travel documents and to undertake not to apply for a new one.
He undertook to commit no further offence and be otherwise of good behaviour. He must reside at an address which was agreed as suitable by gardai and must be contactable at all times on a phone number supplied to the authorities.
At the subsequent sitting in Ballyshannon District Court, Inspector Sean McGuinness said he was awaiting directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Solicitor Rory O’Brien said: “It is a complex investigation to say the least. My client is defending the charges.”
Judge Sandra Murphy adjourned the case to Ballyshannon District Court on May 2 for DPP directions.
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