Father allegedly broke son’s nose and two ribs

A father has appeared at Sligo District Court charged with assaulting his son who claimed he received a broken nose and two fractured ribs in the incident which occurred at Sligo Regional Hospital.

John Pearse Hever of Carrigan’s Upper, Ballymote admitted a charge of assault but there was no medical report furnished by the hospital regarding the alleged injuries which Judge Kevin Kilrane said if correct meant a more serious assault charge should have been brought, assault causing harm.

The Judge expressed his displeasure at the fact the hospital hadn’t furnished the medical records of Cody Hever despite Gardaí sending a request for same after getting the consent to do so from the victim.

Judge Kilrane adjourned the case to February 9th saying he wanted the matter followed up by Gardaí

The Judge said he was troubled by the evidence he had heard and said if necessary the investigating Garda should attend personally at the hospital to get whatever records were there and to treat the matter as a matter of urgency.

The defendant is charged with assaulting his son Cody and Caoimhe Wheeler on November 4th 2015. The court was told the victims were victims were going out at the time but were no longer a couple.

Caoimhe Wheeler did not turn up in court and Garda William Horan said he did not know where she currently resided and a mobile phone number he had for her kept ringing out.

Judge Kilrane asked that efforts be made to locate here for the next day.

Cody Hever told the court was in a side room at the hospital where his then partner was a patient when his father, the defendant who was separated from his mother, Marie Pugh, came in.

Witness stated he was sitting in a chair when he got a punch to his nose from the defendant who threw “a good few punches” with about five to six to the ribs.

Hever also allegedly threatened to petrol bomb his house and rape his girlfriend and sister. The defendant also struck Caoimhe in the eye and on her shoulder and threatened both that they had better not ring the guards.

Witness said he hadn’t seen the defendant in five or six years. On every occasion the defendant sees him now he chases him and tries to hit him.

Witness said his nose was put back in place and he later discharged himself after treatment.

Judge Kilrane said he wasn’t happy for the case to proceed as the evidence was that this was a section three assault one of assault causing harm and Inspector Donal Sweeney said he was in agreement with this.

The Judge said the letter requesting the hospital records by the Gardaí should have been followed up.

Judge Kilrane said that if justice was to be done in this case the file on the matter should be resubmitted to the DPP for consideration.

Mr Eddie Henry, solicitor ( defending) said the defendant was admitting the section two assault charge but nothing further.

In the circumstances, he said, it would be better for the defendant to vacate this plea and this was accepted by Judge Kilrane.

Hever was remanded on bail and warned to stay away from his son and also Kenneth Pugh. Cody Hever alleged that a month ago the defendant chased him in his car at Joe McDonnell Drive.