An Enniskillen man appeared at a special court in Omagh on Saturday morning last charged with assault on two women and causing damage to a fireplace. Ryan Masterson was charged followed incidents at a house in Galliagh Park, Enniskillen.

A police witness said police were called to the house late on Thursday night last (January 23). One woman alleged Masterson had pushed and kicked her. A second alleged she intervened and “the defendant hit her an awful box and sent her flying down the stairs". When police were taking Masterson to Omagh Custody Suite he battered his head against the walls of the police van.

The witness said Masterson was a "priority offender". He has issues with drugs and alcohol and has 71 previous convictions. She said police were objecting to a bail application from defence solicitor Garry Smyth.

Smyth queried why there were no statements from the women. “I know at the time the parties were intoxicated and that is who no statements were obtained,” the witness said. However, police had recorded statements on body cameras. She agreed Masterson had rung police, claiming to having been assaulted.

Smyth said Masterson had lacerations to his head, consistent with being hit by a broken bottle.

Judge Steven Keown refused the bail application. “Mr Masterson's record speaks for itself,” he said. “This man is out of control.” He remanded Masterson (26) of Cornagrade Rd, Enniskillen, in custody to Enniskillen Magistrates Court on February 10.