Man appears in court in connection with attempted murder in Derry-Londonderry

By Q Radio News

A man has appeared at Derry Magistrate's Court today charged with the attempted murder of a man on December 2nd last.

23 year-old Andrew Carlin of Amelia Court in Derry-Londonderry was charged with a series of offences including attempted murder and possessing a knife on December 2nd.

He was also charged with wounding the man with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, aggravated burglary of a house in Cornshell Fields with intent to commit GBH and aggravated burglary stealing a mobile phone.

A police officer connected Carlin to the charges and opposed bail.

He told the court that shortly after 2am on December 2 police received a 999 call from a witness who named Carlin and said he had just stabbed a man.

Police attended and found a man with a wound to his stomach.

A witness told police that earlier Carlin had sent a 'threatening' social media message stating he was 'coming round'.

The court heard that there was a crash at the door and Carlin and another man were said to have entered the house with Carlin armed 'with a large knife either a machete or a sword'.

After the stabbing the men were said to have left the premises in a car.

The officer said that police had been unable to locate Carlin until he presented himself yesterday.

Bail was opposed on the grounds that Carlin may not turn up for trial, fear of further offences and the unsuitability of the address as well as Carlin's 'serious record.'

A defence solicitor asked the officer had anyone made a witness statement and was told that only one witness had and identified the defendant by 'his eyes.'

The court was told that the witnesses had refused to allow police access to their social media accounts so the message could not be used.

The solicitor said that the defendant's father would say that his son had been at work during the interim since the incident and also been in touch with probation.

The solicitor said that there was no forensic evidence and any risk could be managed by conditions.

Deputy District Judge Liam McStay said that the defendant had some 'offences at a high level' on his record.

He said the only real issue was the question of identification and he discounted the other objections to bail.

He released Carlin on his own bail of £500, a surety of £700, ordered him to observe a curfew, wear a tag and stay out of Cornshell Fields and Leafair Park.

He was also ordered to have no contact with either the injured party or any witnesses in the case.

Carlin will appear again on March 12.