A man has been remanded in custody following an incident in Ballybofey which left a man with possible life-changing injuries.
Tristan McAteer, who has 30 previous convictions, was refused bail when he was hauled before a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court on Friday morning.
A 26-year-old, of no fixed abode, McAteer was charged with assault causing harm and with theft.
McAteer was brought to court by detectives having been charged in relation to an incident during which a man received stab wounds. The court heard that the man has “very possibly” been left with life-changing injuries following the incident at a property on Navenny Street at around 9pm on Wednesday.
Detective Sergeant Gerry Farry gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. After being charged at 10.36am on October 18 at Letterkenny Garda Station, McAteer made no reply.
McAteer was charged that on October 16, 2024 at Navenny Street, Ballybofey, he assaulted one Stephen Doherty causing him harm. The charge is Contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.
The accused was also charged that on the same date and at the same location he did steal property – a 50 inch television, a Playstation 4 console and controller and a portable speaker – which was the property of Stephen Doherty.
The charge is Contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001.
Detective Sergeant Farry told the court that An Garda Siochana were objecting to bail. He said the offences for which McAteer has been charged carry maximum sentences of 10 years in prison on conviction.
When initially arrested, McAteer had to be pepper sprayed due to his aggressive behaviour.
Detective Sergeant Farry said Gardai were also objecting to bail due to the strength of the evidence garnered and the fact that McAteer is currently on bail for five other offences.
Property stolen from the scene of Wednesday night’s incident was recovered outside an address at which McAteer resided until Thursday, the court was informed.
McAteer has 30 previous convictions in this State, including for robbery, assault causing harm, possession of knives, criminal damage, possession of articles and 17 public order offences, as well as four convictions in Northern Ireland.
McAteer did not speak during the hearing. He was represented by solicitor Mr Frank Dorrian, who made a bail application on behalf of his client. He said the only possible means of progressing his bail application were on condition that his client stay out of Ballybofey and abstain from alcohol.
Mr Dorrian said his client has been rendered homeless since the incident.
Judge Liddy said that there were “quite serious allegations” before him, allegedly involving the use of a knife and a victim who sustained possible life-changing injuries.
“At this stage, it is merely an allegation, but I am cognisant that he is presently on bail for five offences,” Judge Liddy said.
Judge Liddy said the prosecution established a likelihood of McAteer committing further offences and declined bail.
Legal aid was granted to Mr Dorrian and McAteer was remanded in custody to appear before a future sitting of Letterkenny District Court.
On Thursday night, a co-accused, Nadia Blake, a 25-year-old of Booragh, Ramelton, appeared at a special sitting of the court charged with the same offences in relation to the same incident.
Blake was granted bail on condition that she reside at her home address, that she stay out of Ballybofey and Stranorlar, sign on three times a week at Letterkenny Garda Station and have no contact with Stephen Doherty.
