Coleraine stabbing: man refused bail

By Q Radio news

A 31-year old man facing charges over a stabbing in Coleraine was refused bail today (Wednesday) over concerns he would not adhere to any conditions imposed.

Gary Moore, from Letterkenny Road in Derry/Londonderry, has spent time on remand following his arrest last summer for a knife attack during which a man sustained a stab wound to his abdomen.

Antrim Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, heard that since last July, Moore has been granted bail on several occasions but has been re-arrested and remanded back into custody after either re-offending or breaching the terms of his bail.

Moore appeared in court via a videolink with Maghaberry, where an application for bail was made by his barrister Aaron Thompson.

Prosecuting barrister Suzanne Gallagher appeared for the Crown, and objection were raised to Moore's release.

Mr Thompson said it was accepted that Moore breached bail at his parents address in Coleraine after he was released last month.

The barrister said that after Moore became drunk and his behaviour became a concern, his mother called the police.

Turning to the wounding offence, Mr Thompson said his client was running a self-defence case regarding a stabbing which occurred in the Blackthorn Court area of Coleraine on July 3 last year.

Mr Thompson said Moore was "beaten black and blue" and has a "workable defence."

Judge Geoffrey Miller QC said he noted Moore's case - that he acted in self-defence after he was attacked by people who pulled up in a car - and said this was an issue for the jury to determine.

Describing Moore as "very volatile" and someone who has breached bail on at least three occasions, Judge Miller expressed concerns that the bail address given was that of his parents.

The Judge said that days after being granted bail to that address last month, police were called due to Moore's drunken behaviour, and that during his arrest, Moore was charged with assaulting an officer.

Pointing out Moore was awaiting arraignment on charges of wounding and possessing a knife last July - and it could be a lengthy period before the case goes to trial - Mr Thompson urged the Judge to release his client to his parents address.

The barrister said: "He knows he has let himself and his family down but they are still there to support him."

Judge Miller said he accepted Moore's arraignment date was adjourned due to the Covid-10 pandemic. Also noted by the Judge was Moore's history of breaching bail, and his criminal record.

Regarding the bail application, Judge Miller said: "I consider this wholly without merit and I refuse it."