Patrick McDonagh of Sallys Wood in Irvinestown appeared via videolink from Maghaberry Prison before Enniskillen Magistrates Court charged with assault causing harm on August 23. 

The court heard that the woman contacted police at 11.22pm on the night in question from a phone box to allege that she had been assaulted by McDonagh and that he was still at home beating his father. 

When police arrived at the scene, she told them that the defendant had punched her in the nose and officers observed that her nose was swollen and there was blood on her face and the hall floor. The injured party, who also had cuts on her face, received medical treatment at the scene but refused to attend hospital. 

When police returned to the house the next day to speak to McDonagh’s father, they saw that he had cuts and dried blood on his face but he declined to make a complaint. 

The court heard that the injured party had also refused to make a written statement against the defendant or have her injuries photographed but her evidence was captured verbally on body-camera. 

When McDonagh was arrested and questioned by police, he gave a no comment interview.   

The court was told on Monday that police had objections to bail based on the nature of the alleged offence, his risk of re-offending and interfering with witnesses. 

An officer outlined that McDonagh had breached bail 14 times and that this was the eighth domestic incident involving him and his partner. 

It was highlighted that McDonagh has an extensive criminal record for public order offences which was mainly due to his struggle with alcohol and that the relationship with his partner was now at an end. 

After hearing the bail application, District Judge Nigel Broderick said: “This is a serious allegation where the defendant punched the complainant in the face who may well have sustained a fractured nose. 

“There is a lengthy domestic abuse history against this defendant.” 

Bail was refused but McDonagh was given leave to appeal in the High Court. 

The case was adjourned until September 18th.