The attack, which stunned the local community, took place at a house in Trasna Way in the early hours of Saturday, October 8th. None of the three men, who were aged between 22 and 29-years-old, suffered life-threatening injuries. 

 

One of the men in custody in relation to the attack, Peter Smith of Sycamore Drive, Cavanaleck, Enniskillen, made a bail application at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday.

 

Appearing via videolink from Maghaberry Prison, Smith, a father-of-one, is charged with GBH with intent on Michael Fox and aggravated burglary with the intention of committing GBH on Michael Fox having entered with an offensive weapon “namely a hurley bat.”

 

Another male Brendan McLaughlin (26) of Tempo Road, Tempo, who was himself treated in hospital following the incident, is charged with the attempted murder of Michael Fox, the attempted murder of Conor McBarron, grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent on Dylan Quaille, and burglary with the intent to commit GBH at the property in Trasna Way. 

 

Two weeks ago Smith’s solicitor Clive Neville had indicated that his client would be applying for bail. 

 

The court heard this week that police were called to the address at 1.38am on October 9th where they found five people in the house. Prosecution evidence outlined that the males in the house had been having drinks when Smith and McLaughlin arrived at the property.

 

A window was smashed and Smith climbed through the window carrying a hurley bat before proceeding to assault Mr Fox in the kitchen of the property. The court was told that the injured party was hit in the back of the head, causing him to fall to the ground.

 

It is alleged that Smith continued to hit him while he was on the ground and being stabbed in the lower back and side by McLaughlin. Police outlined that the weapons were recovered at the scene and Smith was arrested at his home at 5am that morning when blood-stained clothing was also discovered. 

 

When questioned by police, Smith told them that he had gone to a party in the property in Lisnaskea when a fight broke out. He admitted swinging the hurley stick once or twice at Fox in self-defence but denied any involvement in the stabbing. 

 

A police officer objecting to the application, told the court that this was due to the serious nature of the offences, the weapons used, Smith’s possible failure to attend court and extensive criminal record. 

 

 In turn, Mr Neville pointed out that the bulk of the injuries sustained by Mr Fox were as a result of stab wounds inflicted by the other defendant. 

 

“There is no suggestion that Mr Smith was involved in the stabbing but he accepts that he was in the house and went in through the door.”

Refusing bail on the grounds of a risk of further offending by Smith, the judge said this had been “a vicious and unwarranted attack” where he had come through the window of the property and “inflicted serious injuries on those therein”. 

 

Smith and McLaughlin will both appear in court again via video-link on November 7th.