An application to allow a Derry man accused of assaulting his ex-partner to return to the city has been refused by a local judge.
Kevin McDaid, 31, whose address was given as Ormeau Road in Belfast, appeared in court for a bail variation application to allow him to return to Derry to reside at his family home on Phillip Street.
He has been charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm and assaulting the alleged injured party - his ex-partner - on numerous occasions between May and December of 2017.
The 31-year-old faces further charges of causing criminal damage to items belonging to the alleged injured party between May and October and to a PSNI vehicle on December 2.
Objecting to bail on May 3 for ‘several reasons’, a police officer said there was a risk of committing further offences and there are a ‘multitude of offences pending’ for ‘serious domestic violence against this injured party’.
She told the court that the woman has been deemed a high-risk victim of domestic abuse and she made reference to one of the alleged incidents during which McDaid ‘assaulted a member of the public when he intervened, leaving him with a broken nose.’
The officer also cited bail breaches which took place over the Christmas/New Year period when McDaid admitted emailing and texting the alleged victim.
Information gathered through phone triage showed incidents happened ‘under the influence of alcohol and drugs’ and she believed there was a ‘high risk of contacting the injured party’.
Referring to the alleged victim, the officer added: “She feels it will affect her day to day life leaving her looking over her shoulder and in constant fear.”
It was the PSNI officer’s view that the bail address, which is 1.5 miles away, was too close.
District Judge Barney McElholm said ‘the only reason he got bail in the first place’ was because of the Belfast address and agreed that ‘this victim is entitled to live her life without looking over her shoulder’.
Conditions state that he must reside at the address in Buncrana, there is a prohibition on alcohol, he is banned from entering Princes Street and Westland Terrace, has a curfew of 11pm-6am and is allowed to return to his family home on Sundays between 12 midday to 5pm.
The case will be before the court again on May 31.
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