A man has appeared at Fermanagh Magistrates court charged with threats to kill and common assault against his wife.

James Coyle was admitted to bail but must not enter Ederney or attempt to make contact with his wife, Lara Coyle, and any contact with his children must be organised through social services.

District Judge Michael Ranahan also made it a condition of his bail that Coyle seek medical attention with a GP in Dublin.

The police opposed bail, with the court hearing that police were called to a house in Ederney on October 20 following a domestic disturbance. It was alleged that Coyle had threatened to kill his wife who had went upstairs and locked herself and the couple’s two children in a room.

Police claimed in court that Coyle had mental health issues and that his wife had alleged that he had stopped taking his medication and that she and her children were “petrified”.

The court heard that Mrs Coyle stated that her husband had threatened to “burn the house down” if she phoned the police. When police attended the premises, they saw a claw hammer on a table in the living room table.

The court heard how the defendant had claimed he was doing DIY and that his wife had refuted these claims.

In applying for bail, defending solicitor, Michael Fahey had stated that his client “completely denied” that he had stopped taking his medication and that he had “in fact, been working with mental health counsellors in Enniskillen.”

The address given for bail was the defendant’s mother’s house Dublin, with Mr Fahey stating that a more suitable address in Northern Ireland was being sought.

Mr Fahey in answering a query from Judge Rananhan stated that he had “no difficulty in dealing with his client”.

“I think we have to take into consideration the presumption of innocence,” Mr Fahey told the court.

In granting bail Judge Ranahan told Coyle:

“It is with some reluctance that I am granting bail. I am concerned over your demeanour and I want you to register with a doctor as soon as possible in Dublin.”