Co Antrim man allegedly threatened to cause multiple casualties by driving a vehicle into Halloween parade in Derry / Londonderry

Refusing the application, District Judge Conor Heaney said there was a risk of reoffending given the accused has 62 previous convictions, including making a bomb hoax, and other public order offences. He was satisfied the accused could not be managed if released and was a risk to the public.

Daryl Harvey, aged 40, whose address was given Deerpark Road, Toome, is charged with assaulting an ambulance worker in the execution of his duty on October 28.

Objecting to bail, a police officer alleged that at approximately 3.50pm, police received a report of a suicidal male threatening to slit his throat.

She said paramedics had attended the incident and in an unprovoked attack, Harvey allegedly punched one of them in the face.

The officer said police entered the house and took Harvey to Antrim Area Hospital, as he had taken a large amount of medication and alcohol.

She said while in the hospital he made threats, including that he would cause multiple casualities by driving a vehicle into the Halloween parade in Derry / Londonderry, and he was later taken into custody.

She added that Harvey had been staying with his mother at an address in Toome, but she did not want him back.

A defence lawyer explained the accused was in “deep crisis mode” at the time of the incident.

She said Harvey cannot get the support for his mental health issues while in custody and there was an address for him to go to in Omagh.

District Judge Heaney asked how it would risk be managed if the accused was released?

He said having looked at the defendant’s record and hearing about the matters of this case, he remained doubtful he would be managed without safeguards in place.

The judge remanded Harvey in custody to appear again on December 14, and pointed out that he had the right to apply for bail in the High Court.