A 26-YEAR-OLD man accused of kidnapping a woman and a baby last November has been returned for trial.

Jason McDonagh, of Rossville House, Station Road, Ballyshannon, county Donegal, is charged with kidnapping the woman and the baby on November 12, 2016.

He is further charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding the woman and driving dangerously on roads between Irvinestown and Belleek on the same date.

During an earlier court hearing, it was alleged that the woman and child were kidnapped from a house in Irvinestown.

McDonagh, who is currently serving time on remand in custody, was led into the dock at Fermanagh Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning for a preliminary enquiry in the case.

A Public Prosecution Service (PPS) representative told the court that, based on the papers submitted, the defendant had a case to answer.

Defending solicitor, Michelle McVeigh, said the charges were not formally conceded, but added that she had no contrary submission to make at this stage.

Deputy district judge, Philip Mateer, observed he was “satisfied” the defendant had a case to answer.

McDonagh declined to answer the charges against him at this stage.
He further declined to give evidence himself, call any witnesses or tender a written statement of a witness.

Deputy district judge Mateer remanded the defendant in custody to appear before Dungannon Crown Court for his arraignment on Thursday, May 18.