The Round O in Enniskillen where a teenager was recently stabbed
A 14-year-old boy was stabbed twice in the stomach and had a knife held to his throat after he went to help a young teenage girl during an alleged attack, Fermanagh court has heard.
The details emerged after a 15-year-old boy appeared before Enniskillen youth court charged with grievous bodily harm and having a knife with intent.
The teenager – who cannot be named because of his age – was refused bail following his arrest on Monday.
The court heard that the victim sustained two stab wounds during the attack at the Round ‘O’ just before midnight on Sunday.
Outlining police objections to bail, a PSNI constable explained there were fears of witness intimidation and risks of further offending.
The police officer said a group of youths had been drinking from midday at the Lakeland Forum Leisure Centre before they left and made their way to the Round ‘O’.
At approximately 11.45pm, police received a report from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service that a 14-year-old boy had been stabbed by another male.
A 15-year-old girl had contacted the ambulance service and when police arrived at the scene paramedics were still treating the teenager.
The injured teen received two stab wounds to the left side of his stomach and was taken to South West Acute Hospital where he was treated for two wounds, one was 2cm and the other was 5cm in depth and he was bleeding profusely and his blood pressure had dropped.
He received stitches and was then transferred to the children’s ward.
The accused had fled the scene but was identified by others. He was arrested the following morning in relation to the incident.
In the lead up to the stabbing, the constable explained that witnesses described the atmosphere as hostile, and that the defendant had become angry. It was alleged he grabbed a girl by the hair and held her down. The injured party went to intervene and at this point he took the knife out of his pocket and stabbed him twice and tried to stab him again.
He then pursued another youth and tried to stab him and then attempted to cut the neck of the injured party.
The police officer stated that he had been on probation and on police bail at the time of the incident after being questioned about the arson attack on a popular summerhouse at Florence Court earlier this month.
He was also questioned about an incident in relation to an Orange Hall.
During police interview, the defendant was told that other youths from the group had given written statements about him following the incident. He replied: “No f**king way, anyone who does that will be burnt out.”
The police officer added: “He is not long out of the offenders centre, there have been three bench warrants issued for his arrest for failure to appear in court.
“Police believe his behaviour is erratic and he would be out of touch of reality. He has not expressed remorse for any of the offences.
“There are concerns of witness intimidation and risk to the general public.”
Defence solicitor Dara Montague told the court that her client had been asking for help in relation to his mental health problems weeks before the incident.
She added that the defendant has been “let down by the system” and that his parents are willing to help him.
However District Judge Nigel Broderick denied bail and said: “These are very serious charges. They epitomise the risk of anyone being in possession of a knife. They will resort to that knife in the course of any confrontation.
“The injured party sustained serious and significant injuries.”
He was remanded in custody and will appear before Enniskillen Magistrates Court on September 9.
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