Man charged with murder bid on partner rang 999 to tell what he did, court hears

A CO Armagh man charged with trying to murder his partner phoned police to describe thinking about “strangling her until there was no breath left in her”, the High Court has heard.

Prosecutors said Joseph McKenna (30) made a 999 call to claim he had just tried to choke her and that his “horrible” actions should not go unpunished.

McKenna, of Dingwell Park in Lurgan, Co Armagh, was yesterday refused bail. He is also accused of attempting to choke the woman with intent to commit murder on June 16.

Crown lawyer Catherine Chasemore told the court he phoned police to set out his actions before leaving her conscious and breathing.

During a nine-minute call, he stated: “I had a thought in my head that I was going to strangle her until there was no breath left in her.”

According to the prosecution, McKenna said he let go when his thoughts changed to leaving the house.

Mr Justice Colton heard the defendant added: “I sort of lost it, and I don’t believe I should go unpunished for my actions because they were quite horrible.”

He described thinking about keeping his hands around her throat until she was “away”, it was claimed. In the call, McKenna allegedly said: “I did come to my senses, but at the same time, it’s a horrible thing to do to anybody, never mind the person that you love the most and... the mother of your children.”

His partner made an initial statement claiming he had grabbed her by the throat and choked her until she thought she would die.

Defence barrister Barry McKenna described his client’s struggles with depression and deteriorating mental health, involving a period where he came off medication.

But the judge stressed the alleged offences could have led to death.

Telling McKenna he must remain in custody, he voiced concerns that if he bailed him “even with conditions, there could be a recurrence of acts of violence, serious violence”.