Enniskillen Court House, RMGFH04
A 35-year-old man who is accused of burying an axe in his neighbour’s door on Friday evening following an argument over a garage has been released on bail.
Maurice Martin Murphy, of Coolnasillagh, Lisnaskea, was arrested after he was found hiding in woods near his home.
He appeared before Enniskillen Magistrates Court facing three charges including criminal damage, common assault and possession of the axe.
A police officer explained to the court that on Friday, police received a call from the alleged injured party who stated that earlier in the evening, at about 6pm, they defendant went to her home.
The court heard that Murphy lives in a caravan at the back of her property.
He was accused of shouting and being aggressive outside her home. The woman then invited Murphy inside where he continued to be aggressive and went up to her face.
The woman told police that she could smell alcohol from him as he continued to rant about his dogs and a fence and that the injured party’s husband closed the garage door at the back of her property.
The defendant then left a short time later, however when her husband came home at about 8pm, Murphy then returned to the property and immediately became abusive towards him.
The woman feared he would strike her husband so she put her hand up and told him to leave.
Murphy was then accused of slapping her at the back of her hand causing bruising.
They then contacted his mother and he was taken away from their home, however a short time later the injured party heard a thump at the door and when she went to see what it was she saw that an axe came through the door and the blade was sticking through the door at the other side.
Police then went to speak to him but he had made off from the property and officers had to get a dog in to help with the search. They found him hiding in a wood.
Police outlined their objections to bail stating that they believed he is likely to commit further offences and that he would interfere with witnesses.
The officer also told the court that he has a record in Scotland of four domestic incidents.
Defence solicitor Emer Cox stated that a suitable address has been found in Lisnaskea, some six miles from the address of the injured party.
After consideration, District Judge Nigel Broderick stated that with some hesitation he would release Murphy on his own bail of £500, on the condition that the address is approved by police.
He is subject to a number of bail conditions including not to consume alcohol, to remain in the address between 10pm and 7am, to wear an electronic tag, not to contact the injured party or any of the witnesses and to report to police once a week.
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