A MAN produced a screwdriver in a threatening manner during the course of a dispute in Letterkenny last night.
Gardaí were called to attend a domestic dispute at 23 Westside Apartments, Pearse Road, Letterkenny on May 19, 2020.
Oscar Westbury (21) appeared at a sitting of Falcarragh District Court, charged with assault.
Gardaí told the court that the injured party, Ellen Westbury, told officers that she had been involved in a dispute with her brother, Oscar Westbury, who produced a screwdriver, in the course of the incident.
Westbury was arrested for an offence contrary to section 11 of the firearms and offensive weapons act. Westbury was charged with assault and told Gardaí: “I am not guilty”.
In court, Gardaí objected to bail on the grounds that they feared that Westbury, who the court was told resided at 23 Westside, Pearse Road with his partner and his sister, would interfere with potential witnesses in the case.
Solicitor for Westbury, Mr Frank Dorrian, said that a young lady who was a subject matter in the case was not a tenant at the address in question.
“He faces a situation of being excluded from the property and would be expected to continue to pay rent,” Mr Dorrian said. “That will go one way only.”
Mr Dorrian said that Mr Westbury’s sister was a guest at the address rather than a tenant. She has been at the address for the past eight weeks.
Westbury’s mother was present in court and said he could reside with her in Raphoe.
A query arose regarding the movement of Westbury due to Covid-19 restrictions. “It would be regarded the same as a holiday home, for example,” Inspector Seamus McGonagle told the court.
“There would be a new address and he would have to stay there.”
Gardaí asked that Westbury be instructed to stay out of Letterkenny.
Mr Dorrian said: “This is a very localised issue and staying out of Letterkenny indefinitely is unrealistic.”
Judge Paul Kelly remanded Westbury on his own bond of €150. Westbury is to reside at The Close, Raphoe with his mother, is to have no contact with any witnesses in the case and was instructed to stay away from 23 Westside Apartments.
Further, more serious charges have been forward for direction to the DPP.
Legal aid was granted and the case will be before the court again on July 6.