Derry Courthouse.

A 28-year-old man was remanded in custody when he appeared at Derry Magistrates Court earlier today charged with a stabbing incident in the city at the weekend in which a man was seriously injured.

Michael Ward, of John Street, was charged with malicious wounding and possession of a carving knife with intent to cause grievous bodily.

The incident is alleged to have occurred in Ward’s flat in the early hours of yesterday morning.

A PSNI officer told the court she could connect the accused to the charges.

Objecting to bail, the officer told the court the injured party remained in hospital where he was receiving treatment for stab wounds to the shoulder and buttock.

She said the alleged victim had presented himself to door security at Damien House at around 4.20am yesterday and a trail of blood led police to Ward’s flat where large amounts of blood were found.

She added the injured party had claimed Ward had attempted to strangle his girlfriend and when he intervened, the accused grabbed a knife from a drawer in the kitchen and stabbed him.

The officer said Ward was initially arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and that during questioning gave a “no comment” interview.

She added police feared Ward would interfere with witnesses.

Resident Magistrate, Barney McElholm, rejected a bail application by defence solicitor, Paddy MacDermott, and remanded Ward in custody to appear in court again on 22 next.

Derry Courthouse.

A man has appeared in court charged in connection with a hate crime attack in the Rosemount area of Derry at the weekend which resulted in the victim requiring 22 stitches for a facial injury.

Thomas Deane (24), of Argyle Terrace, was charged with a number of offences when he appeared at Derry Magistrates Court.

As well as facing charges of unlawful assault, assault on police, disorderly behaviour and resisting police, he was also accused of having offensive weapons, namely a hammer and a knife.

The offences are alleged to have occurred in the early hours of yesterday morning.

A PSNI officer told the court the alleged offences occurred after a number of residents in the Argyle area were woken by anti social behaviour at around 4.50am.

The officer told the court, when Deane was challenged by a number of residents repeatedly pushed one man and called another, who was black, a “nigger” before punching him in the mouth causing an injury that required 22 stitches.

The court heard the accused had fled the scene before police arrived and when he was eventually apprehended he became abusive and shouted “I’ll eat your f…ing heart and your sister’s heart.”

The officer told the court Deane kicked out and attempted to heatbutt police.

The court heard after the accused dropped a hammer which had been in his tracksuit bottoms, police restrained him and recovered a knife.

The officer told the court Deane denied the offences claiming he had acted in self-defence and had been given the hammer and a knife by an unknown resident who, he claimed, had praised him for assaulting the injured party.

The court heard Deane denied calling the man “a nigger” and would have been more inclined to have call him a “black b……”

Applying for bail, defence solicitor, George Copeland, said the accused’s girlfriend was due to give birth this Wednesday.

However, after hearing Deane a had a relevant criminal record, which included a conviction for assault in which the injured party sustained a cheekbone injury, Resident Magistrate Barney McElholm refused bail.

Referring to the fact Dean’s girlfriend was due to give birth, Mr McElholm said: “She’s due to give birth on Wednesday and he’s out rampaging around Rosemount, hopelessly drunk. She would be better off without him.”

Describing the incident as “extremely serious” and a “hate crime,” Mr McElholm agreed with police fears that Deane would reoffend and possibly interfere with witnesses and remanded him in custody to appear in court again on 22 August next.

A 15 year-old Derry boy who had been in custody charged in connection with a sex attack on a 13 year old girl in the Creggan area of city earlier this year, was released on bail at Derry Magistrates Court earlier today when the court heard suitable accommodation had been found for him outside the city and child safety and protection plans had been put in the place.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been custody since he was charged with the sexual assault of the school girl on 18 March last.

During today’s bail application at Derry Magistrates Court, police expressed concerns the boy not get the help he needed if released.

The boy’s solicitor told the court every effort had been made by the boy’s family to comply with all requirements for a secure bail address, including acquiring accommodation outside of the city which had locks on its windows.

The solicitor added a “multi agency approach” to his care had been put in place and “all angles had been covered.”

Stating bail was in the “best interests of the child,” the solicitor said there were concerns the young accused would give into peer pressure in the secure unit he was currently in.

Granting bail, District Judge Barney McElholm said: ‘”I don’t think, with the best will in the world, that he would get the help and treatment he needs in a secure unit.”

The boy was released on his own bail of £100 with a surety of £500.

Ordering the accused to be electronically tagged, Mr McElholm told him to reside at the agreed address outside the city, observe a curfew from 8.00pm to 8.ooam and abide by all conditions of the safety, child protection and family group conference  plans that had been put in place.

He was also told not make contact with the injured party or her family.

Judge McElholm said the only time he was permitted in the city was to attend appointments and on such occasions should be accompanied by his parents or a an adult approved by police.

The case was adjourned to next month which the boy is excused from attending.

The woman at the centre of an investigation by the Police Ombudsman after she was filmed being placed in a bus stop bay by two police officers threw herself to the ground as police attempted to arrest her at the weekend, a court has been told.

Brigid Mongan.

Last St Patrick’s Day, the officers were recorded lifting Brigid Mongan (23) off the road and placing her in a bus stop bay in John Street before getting into a police car and driving off.

The officers involved were later taken off frontline duties pending the outcome of the Police Ombudsman’s investigation.

In January this year, Mongan, from Stanley’s Walk in the Bogside, appeared in court charged, along with Eileen Stokes (the man’s partner), with assaulting her brother as he lay in a coma in the intensive care unit of Altnagelvin Hospital.

As part her bail conditions, she was not allowed to be drunk in a public place.

Last week, she appeared at Derry Magistrates Court in connection with breaching her bail conditions when found drinking in John Street.

On that occasion, Resident Magistrate Barney McElholm gave her “one last chance” and released her on bail.

However, Mongan was back before Mr McElholm yesterday after she was arrested on Sunday.

The court was told Mongan failed a breath test carried out by a police cycle patrol which had responded to a report of anti-social behaviour in the John Street-Foyle Street area.

A member of the patrol told the court he was aware Mongan was on bail and the conditions involved.

He said as he went to arrest her she attempted to run away and in the process she threw herself to the ground and continued to resist arrest.

The officer told the court, she was eventually detained and placed in a police vehicle.

Pointing out he had previously given Mongan “one last chance” and the breath test showed she was four times above the drink-drive limit, Mr McElholm revoked her bail and remanded in her custody.

Derry Courthouse.

A 31-year-old man is expected to appear at Derry Magistrates Court later today charged in connection with a burglary at a bookmaker’s office in the city earlier this month.

The man is charged with the break-in at offices in Patrick Street which occurred on the evening of the 4 April, Grand National day.

Entry was gained to offices within the premises and unsuccessful attempts were made to open a number of safes.

A key safe, mobile phone and an internet router were allegedly stolen from the premises.

Derry Courthouse.

A 31-year-old man was remanded in custody when he appeared at Derry Magistrates Court earlier today charged with a break-in at a bookmakers officer in the city earlier this month in which a safe was stolen.

John Patrick McGilloway, of Bloomfield Park, is charged with entering as a trespasser the Labrokes office at Patrick Street/Queen Street and stealing a safe, a mobile phone and an internet router.

The offence is alleged to have occurred between 5 and 7 April – the weekend of the Grand National.

A PSNI officer told the court he could connect the accused to the charge.

Defence solicitor, Paddy MacDermott, told the court the accused would not be making an application for bail.

McGilloway was remanded in custody to appear in court again on 29 April next via videolink.

A 32-year-old Derry man has been jailed for 16 months at Derry Crown Court after admitting a number of drugs offences, including offering to supply cocaine.

The man, who was granted anonymity by the court, will serve a further 16 months on licence when released from prison.

The accused also pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine, offering the supply and being concerned in the supply of the class A drug methylenedioxymethylamphetamine, offering the supply of the class C drug Ketamine and having the class B drug methylmethcathinone.

The offences occurred between 30 January and 17 February last year.

He also admitted making and supplying counterfit driving licences on dates unknown between the 1 January 2011 and 19 February 2013.

A 30-year-old Derry man was returned for trial when he appeared at a preliminary enquiry at the city’s Magistrates Court earlier today charged with acquiring, converting and transferring criminal property totalling almost £90,000.

Keith Deehan, of Jacqueline Way in the city, is charged with acquiring criminal property, namely the sum of £60,814.51, on dates between the 22 August, 2006 and 22 of August, 2012.

He is further charged with  transferring criminal property, namely the sum of £10,000, on 11 March, 2010.

He is also accused of converting criminal property, namely the sum of £10,000, on 15 March, 2010.

Deehan also faces a further charge of dishonestly obtaining a money transfer for himself on 27 July, 2004.

He faces 16 additional charges of dishonestly making false representation to Derry Credit Union between 26 October, 2007 and 10 September, 2012.

At today’s preliminary enquiry, he replied “not at this stage” when asked if he had anything to say to the charges against him.

After being informed by defence solicitor, Paddy McDermott, that Deehan accepted there was a prima facie case against him, Resident Magistrate returned the accused for trial on bail of £500 to appear at Derry Crown Court on 22 May next.

Maidstone Crown Court.

A Co Derry man has been jailed after hijacking the details of legitimate haulage companies in order to snuggle 200,000 litres of alcohol and avoid paying nearly £2m in duty.

William Canning (44), from Clooney Road in Ballykelly, was one of two men jailed at Maidstone Crown Court in Kent.

He was found guilty of two counts of being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of excise duty.

He was jailed for 27 months and will serve half of his sentence behind bars and half on licence.

His co-accused, Kieran Patrick Hughes (55), from Coharra Road in Portadown, was found guilty of 14 counts of being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of excise duty.

He was also found guilty of one further count of possession of false documentation. was found guilty of two counts of being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of excise duty.

He was given a six year jail sentence half of which will be spent in prison and half on licence.

The pair faked paperwork to claim they were importing vinegar, fruit juice, detergent and water into Britain from Europe, according to HM Revenue and Customs.

“Over 18 months, these men attempted to flood the UK with illicit alcohol, with the aim of lining their own pockets at the expense of UK taxpayers,” David Margree, Assistant Director of Criminal Investigations at HMRC, said.

“They hijacked details from legitimate hauliers in order to disguise the fact that they were committing fraud.

“The alcohol was sold on and the profits used to fund further criminality, undercutting legitimate retailers who could not compete with these fraudsters.

“HMRC is committed to protecting public finances from attacks by criminals and will not stand by and let crooks rip off UK taxpayers.”

The total revenue evaded was £1,807,216.99.

Derry Courthouse.

The launch of a new service to keep victims and witnesses of crime up to date with the progress of court cases has been welcomed by Derry Sinn Fein MLA Raymond McCartney.

Speaking after the Victim and Witness Care Unit was launched by the Public Prosecution Service, the vice-chairperson of the Assembly’s Justice Committee said the new service would see victims and witnesses kept informed of the progress of court cases they were involved in.

Mr McCartney said: “Going to court can be a very difficult experience for victims and witnesses and anything that makes it easier is to be welcomed.

“The Justice Committee carried out an inquiry into the impact of the courts system on victims and witnesses in order to improve it and a pilot scheme has been in operation since November 2012.

“This new service will see victims and witnesses kept informed of the progress of court cases they are involved in.

“They will be assigned a case officer as a personal point of contact to answer any questions and keep them updated on any developments.

“Assistance and advice will also be given to witnesses who are called to give evidence in court cases.

“All of these things will make the process easier for victims and witnesses.”

Mr McCartney added: “We will continue to monitor the service as it is rolled out across the North.”

A Derry woman, who claimed over £50,000 in benefits she was not entitled to, has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Helen McGuigan (51), of Donegall Place, admitted claiming Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support and Housing benefit totalling £50,960 over a six year period while failing to declare employment.

The offences occurred between between March 2006 and September 2012.

Imposing a 12 month jail sentence suspended for two years at Derry Crown Court, Judge Phillip Babington ordered her to repay any outstanding money wrongly obtained to the Social Security Agency.

A Derry man and woman are awaiting sentencing after admitting carrying the armed robbery of a pharmacy in the city earlier this year.

Elaine Bradley (41), of Altcar Park and David Anthony Comiskey (41), of Chamberlain Street, pleaded guilty to stealing prescription drugs from McKenna’s Chemist in Great James Street on 10 January last when the appeared at Derry Crown Court this moring.

Both also admitted to having offensive weapons, Comiskey a large black handled knife and Bradley a hammer.

Both were remanded in custody to allow the preparation of pre-sentence reports.

Jailed (from left): Damien Harkin, Jason Ceulemans and Neil Harkin.

Three Derry men caught transporting a mortar bomb in the city over two years ago have been jailed for a total of 30 years.

The device, containing 200g of Semtex, was found in a holdall in the footwell of the rear passenger seat of the car they were travelling in when it was stopped by police at Westway in the Creggan area of the city on 6 December, 2012.

The driver, Jason Ceulemans (42), from Lecky Road, and passengers Damien Harkin (48), of Westland Avenue and Neil Hegarty (49), from Sackville Court, admitted having an “explosively formed projectile-type improvised device” at Belfast Crown Court.

The mortar found by police.

Each was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for possession of explosives.

They were also given concurrent four year jail sentences for possession of items for use in terrorism.

Each will serve five years in custody and five years on licence.

At a previous court, a prosecution lawyer said  in view of the guilty pleas, two other charges, one of conspiracy to cause an explosion and, secondly, of possessing it under suspicious circumstances, should be allowed to remain on the books.

The court was told the three did not intend using the device themselves but there was sufficient evidence to support the conviction that their possession was on a “second limb” basis.

The court heard when the car was stopped, all three were dressed in dark clothing and Harkin and Hegarty were wearing two pairs of gloves, one over the top of the other.

Police believe the interception saved lives.

A spokesperson from the PSNI’s Serious Crime Branch said: “We should all be thankful that those in possession of these items were prevented from using them and the actions of police undoubtedly saved lives.

“Police will continue to combat the threat posed by dissident individuals and groups who plan to use violence to further their agendas.

“We would encourage people in the community to continue to work with us to reduce the threat posed by such reckless individuals so that we can bring them before the courts and keep our communities safe.”

Three Derry people have been given conditional discharges at the city’s Magistrates Court for claiming benefits totalling £7,000 which they were not entitled to.

Michael McLaughlin (52), of Hollymount Park, claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £3,506 while failing to declare capital.

He was given a conditional discharge for two years and ordered to pay court costs of £58.

Sarah McAdams (25) of Marian Hall,  claimed Income Support totalling £2,564 while failing to declare employment.

She was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay court costs of £43.

Leigh Farren (23) of Alfred Street, claimed Jobseekers Allowance totalling £1,068 while failing to declare employment.

She was given a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs of £34.

All were also ordered to to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

A 38-year-old Derry man has been given a suspended prison sentence for claiming benefits he was not entitled to.

Kevin Quigley, Melrose Terrace, was given a three month prison sentence suspended for two years at Derry Magistrates Court for wrongful encashment of Income Support totalling £546.

He will also have to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

Accused: Shaun Kelly.

The man accused of killing eight men in a horrific car crash in Inishowen almost four years ago is to stand trial in July.

Shaun Kelly (24), from Hill Road, Ballymagan, Buncrana, will appear at Letterkenny Circuit Court for a jury trial on 15 July accused of causing the deaths by dangerous driving of the eight men who died in the two car collision near Clonmany on 11 July 2010.

Judge John O’Hagan set the date for the hearing after a fitness to plead application submitted yesterday by the defence on behalf of  Kelly was withdrawn today at Donegal Circuit Court.

Seven of those who died were passengers in a Volkswagen Passat being driven by Kelly.

The eighth – Hugh Friel (66), from Urris, Clonmany – was travelling in the opposite direction when the collision occurred.

The seven passengers, all friends of Kelly, who died were: Eamon McDaid (22) of Ballymagan, Buncrana; Mark McLaughlin, (21) of Ballinahone, Fahan; Paul Doherty (19), of Ardagh, Ballyliffin; Ciaran Sweeney (19), of Ballyliffin; PJ McLaughlin (21), of Rockstown, Burnfoot; James McEleney (23), of Meenaduff, Clonmany and Damien McLaughlin (21), of Umricam, Buncrana.

A Derry man has been given a conditional discharge for claiming over £13,000 in benefits he was not entitled to.

Daniel Clifford (54), of Chamberlain Street, claimed Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £13,471 while failing to declare capital.

He was given a two year conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs of £58 at Derry Magistrates Court.

At the same court, Eamon Nash (28), of Adair Street,  was also given a two year conditional discharge for wrongful encashment of Income Support totalling £164.

Both are also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

The scene on Northland Road last year after police stopped Nathan Hastings.

A 21-year-old Derry man is awaiting sentencing after admitting having guns and explosives in the city last year.

Nathan Hastings, of Stradowen Drive in Strathfoyle, was arrested after police stopped two cars on Northland Road in April.

Police officers found a pipe bomb, a pistol, ammunition and two modified blank-firing handguns in one of the car, a Citroen Zara, being driven by Hastings.

The driver of the second car, a 54-year-old local man, was also arrested but later released unconditionally.

Nathan Hastings: pleaded guilty.

Hastings, a telecommunications worker from Stradowen Drive in Strathfoyle, was due to go on trial at Belfast Crown Court today charged with possession of firearms, imitation firearms, ammunition and explosives.

However, before the hearing got underway, he pleaded guilty after asking for the charges to be put to him again.

An earlier court hearing was told that the security operation had been “intelligence-led”.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Belfast Crown Court on 27 June for sentencing.

Two former RUC officers are due to appear at at Derry Magistrates Court this morning charged in connection with an alleged miscarriage of justice in the city over 30 years ago.

Both are to appear at a preliminary enquiry charged with perverting the course of justice in the case of Gerald McGowan, one of four Derry men wrongly accused of killing a British soldier at Abercorn Road in the city in 1979.

Their convictions were formally acquitted 20 years later.

The two former police officers, aged 71 and 64, are charged that on a date unknown between 27 February, 1979 and the 2 March 1979, with intent to pervert the course of public justice recorded a written statement after caution from Mr McGowan which was not his independent account of his involvement in the murder of Lieutenant Steven Andrew Kirby.

At the time of his arrest, Mr McGowan - who was aged 17 – had just signed professional forms with Leicester City FC.

Court cases against two retired RUC officers charged in connection with an alleged miscarriage of justice involving four Derry men 35 years ago have been adjourned until next month.

John McGahan (71) and Philip Noel Thomson (65), whose addresses were given as PSNI, Knock Road, Belfast, are charged with perverting the course of justice involving one of the four men, who became known as the “Derry Four,” who were wrongfully convicted of the killing of a British soldier in the city in 1979.

The two former RUC officers are each charged that, on a date unknown between 27 February and 2 March, 1979, with intent to pervert the course of public justice, they recorded a written statement after caution from Gerald Kieran McGowan which was not his independent account of his involvement in the murder of Lieutenant Steven Andrew Kirby.

Mr McGowan was aged 17 at the time and had just signed professional formers with Leicester City Football Club.

Both accused were due to appear at a preliminary enquiry at Derry Magistrates this morning but the case was adjourned after a defence solicitor told the court they had only recently received papers in the case and had were unable to speak to either of them as one was working abroad and the other was on holiday.

District Judge Peter King adjourned both cases until 27 June next.