Tragedy prompted bail curfew breach

A 26-year-old man charged with breaking into his mother's house and cooking himself a meal has appeared in court for breaching a bail curfew.
By The Newsroom
Published 10th Dec 2016, 20:00 BST
Updated 14th Dec 2016, 13:58 BST
The courthouse at Bishop Street, Derry.The courthouse at Bishop Street, Derry.
The courthouse at Bishop Street, Derry.

Liam Harkin appeared at Derry Magistrate’s Court for breaching bail by being out after curfew on December 7.

A police officer told the court how Harkin was originally bailed after appearing in court charged with breaching a Non-Molestation Order and burglary with intent to steal on November 18. The officer said that between then and Wednesday, Harkin had breached his bail on a number of occasions.

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Defence solicitor Paddy McDermott told the court how the original alleged breach of a Non-Molestation Order and burglary charges on November 18, had involved Harkin “cooking a meal” in his mother’s house.

He said that on Tuesday, Harkin, had been visiting his brother whose young child died suddenly last week and that he had been out well past curfew time.

The defence solicitor said Harkin was due to see a doctor on Wednesday in order to start to address his issues with alcohol and expressed concern that if Harkin was refused bail he would lose his accommodation at the Simon Community in Bond’s Hill and would ultimately end up homeless.

Deputy District Judge Terence Dunlop granted Harkin bail but warned him that the bail conditions were imposed to afford him his liberty and said he hoped he left the courtroom with a “strong ringing in his ears”.