Donegal man accused of false imprisonment, strangulation remanded in custody

A Donegal man accused of offences including false imprisonment, assault causing harm and criminal damage by fire to a car has been remanded in custody.

The man, who is aged in his 30s, appeared at Letterkenny District Court via video link.

The accused man cannot be named at this stage for legal reasons.

The charges he faces relate to alleged incidents on different dates at locations in County Donegal.

He is charged with one count of false imprisonment of a woman. The charge is contrary to Section 15 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.

The man faces a charge that he strangled a woman and caused her harm including by directly applying force to her neck impeding breathing. This charge is contrary to Section 3(a) of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act as inserted by Section 31 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2023.

He is also charged with causing criminal damage by fire to a car valued at €9,500 and also with causing criminal damage of €170 to a window.

The charges are contrary to Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991.

He is also charged with one count of dangerous driving, an offence contrary to Section 53 (1) of the Road Traffic Act, 1961 and with two counts of assault.

The matter was first before Judge Sandra Murphy at Ballyshannon District Court on Friday.

At Monday’s sitting of Letterkenny District Court, Sergeant Jim Collins said that directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) were not yet available. Sergeant Collins said they would seek to expedite matters as quickly  as possible.

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham reiterated a direction of Judge Murphy that the man is to receive medical assessment and treatment as necessary.