First Trust Bank, Enniskillen RMG92
A HEAVILY PREGNANT woman has said she feared for her safety and the safety of her unborn child when she was punched during an attempted robbery as she tried to withdraw money from an ATM.
The horrific incident took place in broad daylight at the cash dispenser at the First Trust Bank in Enniskillen’s East Bridge Street on Saturday morning.
Dru Perry, who is nine months pregnant, was at the ATM at around 11.30am r when a man approached them. Seeing him coming, Ms Perry put her purse in her bag, however the man allegedly attempted to grab it from her, reportedly striking her in her arm with his closed fist and holding his fist in the air in a threatening manner.
The man fled, and the women called the police, giving a description of the alleged assailant. Kieran Kelly (52) of Derrin Park, Enniskillen was arrested a short time later and taken into custody.
Kelly, who had 250 previous convictions, appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday charged with common assault, attempted theft, and attempted robbery. The court was told Ms Perry had feared for her own and her unborn child’s safety during the alleged incident.
After being arrested, Kelly told police in his interview he “couldn’t remember a single thing” about what had happened as he was “extremely intoxicated”, stating the last thing he recalled was leaving his house to go to the off licence.
District Judge Nigel Broderick said, given the number of previous convictions on Kelly’s record, he was surprised the defendant had not been before him before. Pointing out his previous court appearances had been at various locations such as Laganside, Lisburn, Coleraine and Strabane, with his last incident in Enniskillen dating to 2013, the judge asked if Kelly led a “nomadic” lifestyle. Defence solicitor Barry Lynam said this was “somewhat” true, and said he had now been living in Fermanagh for a number of months.
Judge Broderick asked if attempting to rob people at cash machines was a “typical way he for him to get money for drink” or if the alleged incident was a departure from his usual behaviour. Mr Lynam said of all Kelly’s previous convictions, he had none for robbery.
“When you have 250 previous convictions and nothing for robbery it is a positive,” said the solicitor, adding Kelly, who he said had mental health issues and a chronic drink problem, had no charges pending in the coming month. Judge Broderick told Mr Lynam he was “clutching at straws.”
Applying for bail, Mr Lynam said Kelly had not known Ms Perry or her mother, so there was no risk of him interfering with witnesses in the case. However, police objected to bail being granted based on the risk of him reoffending.
Judge Broderick said Kelly had “an atrocious record” and the alleged incident was a serious matter. He agreed Kelly was entitled to the presumption of innocence but refused bail due to his risk of reoffending.
Kelly was remanded in custody at Maghaberry Prison to appear before the court again via video link on June 13.
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