A Strabane man accused of unlawfully killing 24-year-old Kyle McDermott during what police described as a “callous and brutal” assault last year has been refused bail
Daniel Patrick Hanna from Victoria Road is charged with unlawfully killing Mr McDermott on 6 October 2024.
At the time a detective constable told Strabane Magistrates’ Court the charge could be connected, and Hanna has been in custody ever since.
Today (Thursday) lawyers mounted an application for bail which was opposed by police.
The detective explained shortly after 11.30pm on the night in question, police responded to a 999 report that a man had been assaulted in Ballymagorry Village, Strabane.
On arrival officers spoke with Kyle who informed them he had confronted two males who were banging windows of his home and knocking over bins.
An altercation broke out during which Kyle was assaulted by one male, whom he was able to describe, leaving him with two broken teeth, a cut lip and bloody nose.
In the presence of police his condition deteriorated, becoming lightheaded before vomiting.
An ambulance was called and Kyle became unresponsive.
Officers carried out CPR and used a defibrillator until paramedics took over.
Kyle was taken to Altnagelvin Hospital but passed away from his injuries at 2.30am the next morning.
Meanwhile police had encountered two males matching the description provided by Kyle hiding in undergrowth nearby.
Hanna was identified as the suspect assailant and was extremely violent during arrest attempting to bite and spit at police.
This continued into his placement in a custody suite where he required medical treatment after hitting himself off the walls.
He was initially arrested for GBH as officers at that time were not aware Kyle had passed away.
On learning of this, he was re-arrested for murder.
During interview he failed to provide any account, answering ‘no comment’ to all questions.
Later however he stated, “It wasn’t his intention to put anyone in fear. Knocking bins over and banging doors was just a bit of craic, which was childish and stupid.”
He admitted being an addict and had taken non-prescription drugs and alcohol.
A postmortem examination found the cause of Kyle’s death was cardiac arrest from heightened blood flow from the incident.
Hanna was subsequently charged with manslaughter and has remained in custody ever since.
Objecting to bail the detective said Hanna, “Committed a violent assault which resulted in a young man’s death. He has 20 convictions of which eight are for violence, and police fear he will reoffend. This incident was committed while on probation for a domestic violence matter showing he is prepared to offend under a court order. He is drug-defendant by his own admission and was under the influence at the time. He was also residing in a local bail hostel when this offence occurred. Furthermore he tried to evade police by hiding when he knew he was being sought.”
The detective added, “Prior to arrest he made threats to return to the victim’s property at a later time and finish what he had started. Police fear he may carry out this threat.”
A defence barrister pointed out this was Hanna’s first application for bail and urged the court to release him on very strict conditions.
But District Judge Oonagh Mullan refused stating: “This is an extremely serious case. The defendant was under the influence at the time. I accept he has been remanded for eight months but my difficulty is the gravity of the offence and the previous convictions for violence. I’m not minded to grant bail at this time.”
The case will be mentioned again on 19 June.
