Police have been asked to clarify whether a threat still exists against a Derry man who sustained life-threatening injuries after being shot eight times in the legs.
Jonathan Simpson (24), with a current address of Lisnafin Park in Strabane, appeared at Derry Magistrates Court for a bail application, subject to an address being cleared by police.
He currently faces six charges relating to alleged driving offences occurring on July 29, 2016.
A police constable objected to bail based on the unsuitability of the address, which he said was only fit to house two adults.
He said if it was only the mother staying there that was “fine! but when he checked the address both the she and Simpsons father were present.
The defendant had been staying in Newtownstewart but wished to move to his mother's address in in the city.
The court heard the defence team for Simpson had sought to make contact with the police for over a week about a threat against the defendant, but had received no response.
Defence counsel Eoghan Devlin told the court clarification from police that the threat was no longer in place was needed before the Housing Executive could organise alternative accommodation.
Mr Devlin quizzed the police witness about why the information hadn't been provided, and asked him if he had ever read the book “Catch 22.”
The officer said he hadn't but anticipated he was “going to be educated” about it “today'.”
Mr Devlin explained that the recurring theme in the book was similar to the situation with Simpson, as he couldn’t get accommodation from the Housing Executive until the police made plain the situation regarding the threat.
He said that the normal procedure in relation to threats was to “close the file” if no further information was provided to substantiate the threat.
Adding Simpson was “running out of places to reside.” Mr Devlin added the options were “sleeping on a sofa” at his parents’ house, Maghaberry Prison,or the streets.”
Pointing out the charges were “simple driving issues,” Mr Devlin said the matter was “old threat”' and the defendant wanted to return to his mother's address.
District Judge Barney McElholm said it was a question of police confirming that the threat was “no longer in existence” so he could then seek alternative accommodation with the Housing Executive.
The defendant was released on his own bail of £500 to the address in Glendarragh.
He is due before the court again on November 24.
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