Assault accused granted bail

A 36-year-old accused of an assault which left a man with severe head injuries has been released on bail.

Martin John Neeson, of Rossdale, is charged with grievous bodily harm with intent, common assault and assaulting police.

He is further charged with disorderly behaviour in the Woodside Road area on May 28.

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Derry Magistrate’s Court heard allegations that the injured party was left with severe head injuries and a stab mark to his jaw.

It is alleged this was caused by a sharp object, which caused a clean incision over two centimetres long.

The court was told the complainant identified Neeson as the perpetrator.

Both men had been at a house party together and it is alleged there was a verbal altercation between them.

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The complainant left the property and Neeson allegedly followed him home.

It is alleged the man was sleeping on his sofa and when he woke up, the defendant was on top of him.

Neeson was allegedly punching the man who blacked out and could not remember the rest of the incident.

The court also heard allegations that when Neeson was arrested he was covered in blood.

During police interview, he denied the assault.

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Opposing bail, an investigating officer said the proposed bail address was with a potential witness in the case.

The officer said this person received a text message from Neeson shortly after the alleged incident in which he said he had made a big mistake.

Defence solicitor Don Mahoney told the court his client had a good history of complying with bail conditions.

He added that the proposed bail address was a ‘considerable distance’ away from the complainant and all the other witnesses.

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Mr Mahoney said his client had no reason to be in the Waterside unless he was attending his general practitioner.

District Judge Barney McElholm released Neeson on his own bail to reside in Magowan Park.

The judge banned the defendant from entering the Waterside, except to go to the doctor, and from contacting the complainant or any other witnesses.

Neeson is also banned from consuming alcohol.

The 36-year-old will appear in court again on August 11.