A man has appeared in court accused of an unprovoked homophobic attack in Armagh over the weekend.
Paul Halligan, of Dalton Road, Armagh, appeared before the city’s Magistrates’ Court – sitting in Newry – on Tuesday, charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, criminal damage and disorderly behaviour.
The 41-year-old also faces a single charge of possession of a Class C drug, namely Pregabalin.
Constable Mack told the court that “this was an attack on a young gentleman who just happened to be going to the off-licence in Armagh.”
He said: “He arrived in a taxi, and the defendant immediately came up, started staring into the taxi. He then went on to call the gentleman a f****t and a queer, and continued that abuse before slamming the door.”
“The gentleman says, ‘yes, I’m queer and proud’. The abuse continued for quite a period of time. The taxi driver also reported that the taxi door was slammed on the injured party and the verbal abuse continued for quite a while.”
The court heard how Halligan is alleged to have punched the complainant to the head and ribs and smashed his glasses.
It was noted that there is CCTV of the incident and that at the same time the owners of Toby Jug witnessed an unprovoked attack and contacted the police.
Prosecution counsel said the complainant stated to police that “he attempted to enter the taxi and the male tried to pull him away from the taxi.”
“He is eventually able to break free, jump into the passenger seat of the taxi where the taxi driver takes him to the police station.”
The prosecution added: “Other members of the public have also rung in to report the defendant being disorderly in the general area as well.”
Defence counsel said that it was his instructions that the pair “bumped into each other Sunday evening and after verbal exchanges between the two, Mr Halligan says he was spat on by [complainant].”
This was queried by Deputy District Judge Brian Archer, who remarked: “He never gave that case in interview?”
The defence contended that his client denies any verbal abuse but “accepts he struck him.”
Halligan was released on his own bail of £500 with conditions, including a curfew of 9pm to 7am, not to enter licensed premises, consume or possess alcohol, and to submit to a preliminary breath test if required.
The case was re-listed for April 29.
