Man charged with slashing wife’s face in Convoy incident

A man has appeared in court charged with slashing his wife’s face with a broken glass.

Carl Hargaden was hauled before Letterkenny District Court on Tuesday morning when he was ordered to stay out of Convoy and Raphoe.

Hargaden is alleged to have slashed Anna Hargaden’s cheek, wrist and neck with a broken glass during an incident at Flax Fields, Convoy on Sunday, January 28.

The injured woman was said to be attending for plastic surgery in Galway ‘in the hope that the scars can be reduced’. 

Hargaden was charged with assaulting Anna Hargaden causing her harm, contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.

Photographs of the injuries were submitted to the court. 

Gardai told the court that Hargaden cut the back of the woman’s head with the same implement. The woman also sustained injuries to her neck and jaw in the incident. 

Hargaden, a 61-year-old of Flax Fields, Convoy, County Donegal, was also charged with breaking the woman’s glasses and with taking her mobile phone.

The accused was also alleged to have made a threat to burn down the family home during the course of the dispute.

During the incident, Hargaden claimed to have placed the woman’s mobile phone in a fridge, but the phone was located outside the premises on Monday.

Garda Tom McNally gave evidence of arresting Hargaden on Monday afternoon

When charged, Hargaden asked gardai: “Why is Anna not charged with assault?” Hargaden also told investigating officers “I never stole her phone. I took it” and added “I didn’t intentionally break her glasses, but I did.”

Garda McNally told the court that there would likely be further charges proffered once directions are obtained from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Gardai objected to bail due to the seriousness of offences, the maximum penalty that can be imposed, a fear that the accused would interfere with witnesses in the case and the likelihood of further charges.

Garda McNally said the accused was not taking prescribed medication and has been consuming alcohol. He said the woman is ‘in fear’ of Hargaden.

Mr Patsy Gallagher, solicitor for Hargaden, said his client is a retired man who has ‘some health issues’.

“He was a professional man and he is now retired and on disability,” Mr Gallagher said, adding that the pair are married, but have been encountering some ‘difficulties’ of late.

Mr Gallagher told the court that Hargaden could provide an address outside of the Convoy area at which he will reside. Mr Gallagher said Hargaden would give an undertaking to abide by any conditions that the court might impose.  

He said his client’s only previous conviction was under the Road Traffic Act for drink-driving.

Bail was granted with strict conditions imposed by Judge Ciaran Liddy.

Hargaden was ordered by Judge Liddy to stay out of the Convoy and Raphoe areas of County Donegal. The accused man must stay away from the injured party and have no contact, either directly or indirectly, to include via social media.

Hargaden is to remain alcohol free and was told to take all prescribed medication. Hargaden is to reside at an address to be provided to gardai and must sign on at Letterkenny Garda Station every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

The matter was adjourned until February 7.