Kevin McConnell (31), of no fixed abode, appeared before Monday’s hearing of Enniskillen Magistrates Court via videolink from Maghaberry Prison. He was charged with making threats to kill,  possession of an offensive weapon and unlawfully assaulting Catherine Colderick. 

The court heard that on January 20th, police were called to a 999 call following a report that a female was being assaulted by her son at an address in Irvinestown.  

Deputy District Judge Amanda Brady was told that the woman made her escape from the house where the incident happened and went to a neighbour’s house who raised the alarm. 

The injured party had sustained swelling to her eyes and forehead and was bleeding from her ears and head. She was taken to the South West Acute Hospital for treatment. 

When police went to the scene of the attack, they found McConnell in possession of a large kitchen knife while two other knives were also seized. McConnell was arrested and made full admissions telling police that he had punched his mother several times and made a threat to kill her. The judge was told that the injured party had requested that no restraining order be made by the court.  

Defence barrister Stephen Fitzpatrick told the court that this had been a very serious incident but pointed out that his client had made an early plea and made full admissions in police interviews. 

“He is currently waiting to be housed in Belfast and accepts that his relationship with his mother is beyond repair. He had not been in contact with her for 20 years and wishes to apologise for his outrageous actions. He has met this head on and accepts that prison is inevitable,” he added.