Enniskillen Magistrates Court
AN IRVINESTOWN man who is accused of breaking a local man’s jaw during an alleged burglary has been denied bail over fears he may leave the country.
James Michael Maughan (27) of Brownhill Meadows is charged with two counts of grievous bodily harm, one count of theft, and one count of burglary.
It is alleged Maughan entered a flat on Castle Street in Irvinestown on January 13th this year, and assaulted two of its residents.
The court was told one of the alleged victims’ had his jaw broken in two places while the other had bruising to his head and body. Items were also taken from the flat, including money and jewellery.
Maughan has been in custody since being arrested in January, and appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday via video link from Maghaberry Prison for a bail application.
Police objected to bail on the grounds Maughan’s proposed address in Trillick was felt to be too close to Irvinestown, because the alleged injured parties were said to be in fear, and because police were concerned he would be a flight risk.
Defence solicitor Tommy Owens said Maughan was in a full time relationship with a girl in Irvinestown, who was prepared to act as his surety, and added his proposed bail address was with her brother in Trillick. He said if released from custody the defendant would be willing to wear a tracking tag. The solicitor also added it was not likely he would flee to the south as there was an arrest warrant out for him there.
Mr Owens said Maughan had been in jail since January, a total of six months, meaning he’d served the equivalent of a one year prison sentence. He said the defendant was entitled to the presumption of innocence and had a right to bail.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan said he’d considered the application carefully and while he was mindful Maughan was entitled to the presumption of innocence, he felt there was a strong connection between the defendant and the charges against him.
Judge Ranaghan said he was denying bail on the grounds Maughan was a flight risk, may interfere with witnesses, or may commit an offence. Adjourning it until August 6th, he said he would be keeping a close eye on the case and was mindful Maughan had already spent so much time in prison.
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