Gulladuff robbery accused was ‘on bail’

Michael Mongan (21) of White Rise, Dunmurry appeared at Londonderry Magistrates Court for a bail application.

Opposing the application, a police witness said that during an incident on June 5 this year an armed gang forced their way into a house.

Inside was a 70 year old grandmother, a 16 year old boy and the boy’s uncle.

He said that during the incident, which lasted 20 to 30 minutes, injuries were inflicted on all three and 16-year-old Thomas Convery received life threatening injuries which required surgery to the brain.

His grandmother received severe bruising to her legs after being beaten with an iron bar.

The police witness said there was identification evidence against Mongan from two of the victims and it is alleged that he was the main aggressor.

Opposing bail the officer said there was fear of further offences and also of interference with witnesses.

He said Mongan had a conviction for witness intimidation for telling a mother he would murder her son if she pursued a complaint against him.

The officer said that Mongan was currently on bail for handling stolen goods and driving while disqualified. He said he was also being prosecuted in relation to six burglaries in the Magherafelt area in which firearms were stolen.

A defence barrister told the court that there was a substantial cash surety available for Mongan and that he would abide by any restrictions the court placed upon him.

District Judge Barney McElholm said that while Mongan had no convictions for direct violence there was one for intimidation.

He said it was a most serious offence and there was an extreme fear of interference with witnesses. Bail was refused and Mongan was remanded in custody to appear at Magherafelt Magistrates Court on July 25.