Man admits to possessing corrosive liquid and weapon for assault in Ballyshannon

A man has pleaded guilty to having corrosive liquid and a pickaxe handle for use in an assault in Ballyshannon.

Derek McDonagh admitted the offence and also pleaded guilty to an assault causing harm when he appeared before Donegal Circuit Court.

The 34-year-old, of Honeypot Lane, Darlington, England, appeared before Judge John Aylmer to be formally arraigned in the matter.

McDonagh is charged that on May 5 ,2023 at TJ Hughes Service Station, Cloghore, Ballyshannon, he had in a public place a pickaxe handle and corrosive liquid intended to cause injury in the assault of Patrick Joseph Ward. 

The offence is contrary to section 9(5) Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990.

The defendant is also charged with assaulting Ward and causing him harm on the same occasion, contrary to section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.

Mr Colm Smyth SC, barrister for McDonagh, instructed by solicitor Mr Tom McSharry, asked for legal aid to be extended to cover a psychiatric report.

Judge Aylmer granted the application and adjourned the case until the next sitting of Donegal Circuit Court.

At Ballyshannon District Court in January, the court heard that there was no Garda objection to bail, subject to conditions.

McDonagh was granted bail on conditions including: A bond of €10,000 of which €3,000 was to be lodged in court; that he provide gardaí with his UK address and notify gardaí of any change of address; stay away from Ballyshannon except for court purposes; provide a mobile phone number to gardaí and be contactable on that number at all times; not commit any further offence; have no contact directly or indirectly with the injured parties.