A convicted paedophile who stabbed a horse in a “grotesque act of revenge” has appeared in court in relation to breaching a disqualification on owning animals.
Mark McGurk (27) from Glenpark Road, Gortin but remanded on bail to Fountain Street, Bessbrook after being charged with separate in relation to multiple allegations of including breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) six times on dates between 14 October 14, 2024 and September 19 this year.
Of these there are three counts of staying overnight at an address without prior approval, two counts of having contact with a child and a single count of failing to notify his Designated Risk Manager (DRM) of change of address
It is also alleged he pursued a course of harassment against three women and a man over various dates between September 18 and 26.
Prior to this matter, McGurk, a horse dealer previously from Cookstown, was already on bail for a sickening animal cruelty attack, when he sexually assaulted a child after a cocaine and alcohol binge at a birthday party in October 2019.
Originally charged with rape, he pleaded guilty to a lesser count of sexual activity with a child on the day his trial was to begin.
The case was adjourned to allow for the preparation of pre-sentence reports during which McGurk was controversially permitted to accompany his then girlfriend to her school formal in the Europa Hotel in Belfast.
On return to court for sentencing despite a reference from his parish priest contending McGurk has “great integrity and very high moral standards” he was jailed for 15 months and placed under the SOPO.
He received an additional seven months in prison after finally admitted deliberately stabbing a horse having consistently denied this despite District Judge Michael Ranaghan describing the case as having no defence
In that incident police were advised that a horse had been brutally injured on June 10, 2019 at McGurk’s premises.
He didn’t engage much except to say he been drinking earlier with another horse trader Harry Evans whom he claimed “became agitated and started stabbing the horse with a knife.”
Evans was found at his Magherafelt home, where he showed them a video sent to him by McGurk via Facebook of the horse being stabbed.
McGurk was arrested and interviewed, but with the exception of claiming to own the horse, thereafter made no comment.
A vet provided a report on the severity of the injuries, confirming the horse had to be put down.
Asked why the attack was filmed, the defence said the two men had a disagreement to which Judge Ranaghan remarked: “I can’t see it as anything but revenge. Repeatedly stabbing that totally innocent animal which had the misfortune to be in the defendant’s care, was a profoundly evil act. I cannot begin to imagine the level of what that defenceless horse suffered involving extreme pain, fear and distress. One cut was very deep and probably caused its death. This wasn’t a moment of madness. It was at least four moments of madness. Blood was pooling around that defenceless animal’s feet. That level of evil cruelty is disturbing.”
Along with the prison sentence which was added consecutively to the sexual offending term he was serving, Judge Ranaghan banned McGurk from owning any animal for seven years.
However, it has since emerged this did not extend to him having contact with animals and he continued to trade horses.
During a bail application on his latest charges police recovered text messages referencing dogs and crossing into the Republic of Ireland to transport a horse to a customer.
In that hearing police strongly opposed bail due to “the risk both police and Social Services believe the defendant poses, not just to the injured parties but also to the public and the very vulnerable female with whom he now is in a relationship”.
Police added: “Examination of his phone has shown high level toxicity within that relationship and he has completely ostracised her from her family. They are extremely worried about him being released given his propensity for previous violence and what he could do. His previous record contains sexual activity with a child and stabbing a horse to death, demonstrating a propensity for violence.”
Bail however was agreed on condition McGurk resided some distance away from County Tyrone which is how he came to be living in Bessbrook.
After numerous reports of concern that he was continuing to trade horses the PSNI advised the court order only banned him from owning an animal.
It is that which brought McGurk before Newry Magistrates’ Court charged with breaching the disqualification by having a dog on November 10.
A police officer aware of the facts of the case said the charge could be connected, which a defence solicitor advised is denied.
District Judge Eamonn King remand McGurk on bail and warned he must not keep, own or enter into any arrangement in respect of any animal.
He is also to allow police to inspect his premises at any time.
The case was adjourned until December 22 when a contest date is to be fixed.
An application for Legal Aid on the basis McGurk is in receipt of Universal Credit was granted.
