AN arrest warrant has been issued for the 26-year-old man charged with two counts of attempted murder in connection with a stabbing incident in Lisnaskea after he failed to show up to court on Monday this week.
Brendan Martin Gerard McLaughlin of Tempo Road, Tempo is charged with the attempted murder of Conor McBarron and Michael Fox, causing Grievous Bodily Harm with intent to Dylan Quaille, and burglary with intent to commit grievous bodily harm. All the charges relate to an incident in Lisnaskea last October.
He is further charged with a count of disorderly behaviour on a separate occasion.
His co-accused, Nicola Leonard, had also been scheduled to appear at Fermanagh Magistrates Court on Monday in relation to the case too.
Applying for an arrest warrant for both defendants, a Public Prosecution Service (PPS) representative said she had real concerns considering the “very serious offences” both individuals faced.
She told the court that Ms. Leonard was Mr. McLaughlin’s partner.
Defence barrister, Alan Blackburn said he was “at a loss” as to why his client had not appeared.
Bail for Mr. McLaughlin had initially been refused at an earlier Magistrates sitting at the end of March. This had however been granted at a High Court appearance afterwards and he was released.
Explaining that his client was due to appear in Dungannon Crown Court today (Thursday) Mr. Blackburn suggested the court wait and see whether he did in fact show up.
District Judge Benita Boyd conceded that the charges against Mr. McLaughlin were serious and ordered that an arrest warrant be issued.
She denied the PPS request for a warrant for his co-accused, who was due to appear at Fermanagh Magistrates Court again yesterday on the same charges.