Donegal man allegedly used golf clubs to smash car windows with a child (7) inside

Derry Magistrate's Court heard today that a man was alleged to have used a golf club to smash windows in a car containing a seven-year-old child.

Reese Laird (34) with an address at St Eunan's Terrace, Raphoe, was charged with possessing an offensive weapon, namely a golf club, on Thursday, June 19.

He was also charged with assaulting a female, criminal damage to a vehicle and a charge of affray on the same date. The court was also told that Laird was also arrested on foot of a warrant from 2020, where he had been convicted of harassment in his absence. A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail.

At 11.30am last night, police were called to reports of a fight outside a shop in Strathfoyle involving two females and a male. Then, Laird was said to have arrived with a golf club and was alleged to have used it to smash windows in a car with a seven-year-old child in it and assault one of the females.

Police opposed bail due to what the officer said were a number of concerns, including the fact that they believed Laird was dangerous. The officer said they were also concerned that the defendant would not appear.

Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said he believed that the defendant was unaware of the existence of the warrant.
E said the incident appeared to have started with a dispute between two females and one of them phoned her boyfriend, Laird. He said the defendant could be managed with conditions including a prohibition from entering Strathfoyle.
District Judge Conor Heaney said that the circumstances of the incident were "far from clear."

He said he would release Laird on bail on condition he resides at an address approved by police, stays out of Strathfoyle and reports to police three times a week.