Man with 590 convictions breached his bail terms

A FERMANAGH man with 590 previous convictions has been remanded in custody following a breach of bail terms imposed for alleged domestic violence assaults, by travelling to the woman’s home and having contact.

Mark Convey (39), of Main Street, Newtownbutler, is currently charged with assaulting a female on both January 19 and 20.

He is on strict bail conditions banning him from contacting the alleged victim or entering the area of her Irvinestown home, but a third party alerted police on February 15 to say the woman had contacted her to say Convey was at her home.

Police attended at around 1am and discovered Convey in the living room, the court heard.

He was arrested and accepted breaching his bail terms, but contended the victim rang him claiming to be suicidal.

Seeking bail to be granted again, a defence solicitor said his client co-operated fully with police, admitted the breach and pointed out the woman had made a withdrawal statement in respect of the original charges.

But revoking bail, District Judge John Meehan said: “The defendant has 590 convictions for all manner of offences. In domestic violence cases the gain is for the perpetrator to establish contact, excite sympathy and secure a withdrawal.”

Convey was remanded in custody to appear in court again later this month.