A vulnerable man with the mental age of a five-year-old child has been left very seriously injured after being allegedly 'glassed’ during an incident in an Enniskillen bar over the weekend.

A special sitting of Dungannon Magistrates Court heard the victim received 21 stitches to his face and is now terrified to leave his house.

Michael Riley (45) from Carrowshee Park, Lisnaskea is charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding the male with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, possessing an offensive weapon namely a glass, criminal damage, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, obstructing police and possessing a quantity of prescription-only drugs.

A detective constable said all charges, which allegedly occurred on 8 April, could be connected.

She explained police were called to the bar on the evening in question to a report of an assault in which the victim sustained facial injuries.

On arrival officers found him covered in blood with wounds to the crown of his head and left cheek.

He said an unknown male had struck him twice with a glass following a disagreement, before fleeing on foot through the rear of the premises.

Staff gave a description of he male and handed over a bloodstained shard of glass which they said was used in the attack.

She said: “The injured party is a vulnerable adult with a mental age of a five-year-old child. He sustained a broken nose and required 21 stitches to his face, five staples to the back of his head and will require further treatment. This incident has understandably left him very traumatised and he is now terrified of leaving the house.”

Information was received that Riley had taken a taxi to Lisnaskea, where he was arrested, although gave officers the name Anthony Riley.

This was later clarified on cross-referencing his fingerprints from previous offending.

One hand was noted to be bandaged and a search of his property recovered a quantity of drugs, blood-stained clothing and there was a strong smell of bleach.

Riley was said to be very uncooperative while in custody, refusing to look at the CCTV footage of the incident or to answer any questions, even to confirm his name.

Opposing bail, the detective said Riley is a prolific offender with over 120  convictions on record including previous for wounding and assaults.

She added: “We also believe there is a risk of flight as the defendant has strong connections outside the jurisdiction. He refused to provide any address while in custody and has a history of failing to return to court while on bail. He has a total disregard for the criminal justice system.”

Urging the court to release Riley on bail, a defence solicitor said the incident took place in a bar when alcohol was taken and, “it’s unclear as yet if my client was involved. I suspect this case will largely turn on DNA in due course, as in my experience CCTV footage of bars is generally not very good".

He said Riley’s brother is due to be buried and police knew this when he was charged “which is why I asked for him to be released on bail and not brought straight to court, however that was not accepted".

Throwing out the application, District Judge Michael Ranaghan said: “This man is not a suitable candidate for bail. There’s strong evidence linking him to serious offending. The situation over his deceased brother’s funeral is unfortunate however the risks are too great.”

Riley was remanded in custody to appear again by video-link at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on April 24.