A 28-year-old Derry man has been denied compassionate bail at the city’s Magstrates Court to attend the 20 week scan of his unborn child.
Refusing the application, District Judge Barney McElholm, said: "Next thing we will have an app where probes are strapped to the stomach for nine months so men can coo over the baby or feotus."
James Donegan, of Summerhill Park, appeared via video link from prison where he is in custody charged with driving whilst disqualified, dangerous driving and driving without insurance in Ballymagroarty on July 23.
He requested to be released into his father's custody from 9.00am to 5.00pm to attend the scan.
The court heard it was a "routine" scan which could be used to determine the sex of the child and discover any abnormalities.
Police opposed the bail application as Donegan had breached compassionate bail in the past.
Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said this dated back to 2010, and that his client had since been granted compassionate bail again and complied with all the terms.
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