Man accused of stabbing his mother in the neck ‘multiple times’

Robert Gannon, whose address was given on court papers as Dunvale Close, is charged with wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm on July 6.

He is further charged with causing damage to an electronic tag.

Derry Magistrate’s Court heard that the alleged injured party sustained wounds to her neck which required a large number of stitches.

It is alleged the woman went to a neighbour’s house shortly after 6:30pm on July 6 and said she had been stabbed by her son.

She was allegedly ‘covered in blood and staggering in the street’.

Police were called and the court was told the woman made an initial report on body worn camera.

She alleged her son had stabbed her multiple times in the neck with two red handled knives following an argument about money.

The court heard that officers spoke to Gannon through an open window at the property in the Duncreggan Road area and his hands were covered in blood.

He allegedly told police he would not cooperate with them without a negotiator.

It is further alleged the 33-year-old ‘appeared to be wielding a hammer’ but put this down when requested to do so.

Gannon was arrested and taken to hospital for treatment to lacerations on his fingers.

During police interview, Gannon made no comment and it is alleged his only emotion ‘was to grin throughout’.

The court heard the defendant was on bail at the time of the alleged offence.

Police opposed bail for fear of further offences.

Defence counsel Sean Doherty said the alleged injured party had made it ‘very clear’ she would not be providing a statement to police and this would make the case more ‘problematic’ to prosecute.

He added that his client has been on bail since April, has been compliant with all the conditions and has been drug free for a number of months.

The barrister said there was likely to be some delay in the case proceeding to trial due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Doherty applied for his client to be released on bail to an address outside the city approved by police with a number of stringent conditions.

District Judge Ted Magill refused bail, stating Gannon is an ‘utterly unsuitable candidate’.

The 33-year-old will appear in court again via videolink on August 3.