A Newry man has been granted bail to attend rehab for his alcohol issues but will be swiftly returned to custody if he fails to complete the intensive 13-week course.
Speaking on this issue of a previous bail breach, the 33-year-old’s legal representative, stated: “We didn’t get him in [rehab] quick enough.”
Darryl Christopher McCann, 33, of Canal Street, appeared charged with burglary, grievous bodily harm, four counts of assault on police, resisting police and possession of class B at the city’s Magistrates’ on Wednesday.
These charges were accrued over two separate incidents.
Court heard the first alleged offence occurred on October 21, when police attended an unsecured house on Canal Street, Newry.
Officers accessed the house with the owner who claimed three televisions, a Samsung phone, a Samsung tablet and a laptop were missing.
It was noted that a piece of wood, which had boarded up a back window, was also gone.
One of the missing televisions was located at the side of the house opposite this address, which was the home of the defendant.
The tablet was found in the garden of a neighbouring property.
Police went to McCann’s house to find him heavily intoxicated; the two other televisions and the missing laptop were located inside his home.
McCann was arrested and taken to hospital due to his intoxication.
When later interviewed, the defendant said he had been at his mother’s house and had not been drinking.
He told officers he had arrived home to find these items inside, that he had not stolen, however, he admitted to touching the offending items.
The rest of the alleged offences related to an incident two weeks later, on November 3.
Police received a report from a woman claiming the defendant was in breach of a court order.
Police checks subsequently showed that there was no such order in place involving McCann and the alleged injured party, however, the defendant was in breach of a previously determined court curfew.
Police attempted to arrest the defendant at his front door but this is where the alleged charges of resisting police, assault on police and grievous bodily harm arise.
Court then heard how McCann also handed police class B drugs following his arrest.
Prosecution stated that bail was being objected to because of the risk of further offences.
It was also heard the defendant had six previous convictions relating to interaction with police, seven for theft, and three drug-related convictions.
It was also considered unlikely that McCann would adhere to bail as he had 17 breaches of court orders in the past.
Defence counsel stated that “the problem behind Mr McCann’s offending is drinking”.
District Judge Eamonn King commented: “I previously granted bail on the condition that he went through alcohol rehabilitation, what happened there?”
Defence retorted: “We didn’t get him in quick enough”.
It was heard that McCann had secured a spot at Sister Consilios in Newry.
Judge King therefore granted bail at £250 with a £250 cash surety.
He stated: “I am putting him in the custody of his mother who will transport him to Sister Consilios. He will remain at that address for the full period of detox, which I believe is 13 weeks.”
McCann was warned by Judge King that if he were to leave the programme he would be returned to custody.
The case will be back in Newry Magistrates’ on December 19, although McCann will not be required to attend.
