Rory Mooney, 28 Dec
A man has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court today
for what was described as 'serious allegations of violence and coercive
control'.
Thomas Goligher (33) of Mullagh Park in Maghera faced 17 charges of
domestic abuse including four charges of non fatal strangulation on
December 26, a sexual assault charge and numerous charges of assault
against the same woman.
A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed
bail.
He told the court that the alleged victim had described seven years of
domestic abuse and coercive control.
He said that the woman had said she had to resort to contacting
ambulance staff to contact police.
The officer said that it was alleged that Goligher had also made
threats against the woman's family.
He said that police were concerned about the possibility of further
offences if bail was granted.
Defence counsel Eoghan Devlin said said this was 'a litany' of serious
offences and the court was rightly concerned about the possibility of
further offences.
He said that it was likely to be six or seven months before this case
is dealt with and asked for bail.
He accepted that it was 'a difficult application'.
District Judge Barney McElholm said that he had' no intention ' of
granting this man bail.
He said this was' a disgraceful and appalling set of facts' yet
Goligher's response was no comment.
He added 'there is absolutely no chance of this man getting bail from
this court.'
Goligher was remanded in custody to appear again on January 17.