A Kesh man has been remanded in custody after he was charged with driving and public order offences.

Neill Armstrong (37), of Ardess Demesne, Kesh, faces causing GBI by dangerous driving, attempted GBH, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, namely a Stanley Knife, driving while disqualified and using a motor vehicle without insurance in relation to an incident on April 17, 2021.

An officer told the court they could connect the accused to the charges and were objecting to bail.

On April 17 at around 12.30pm police received a request for assistance in Ederney.

When they arrived, they spoke to the owner of a Toyota Landcruiser. A short distance away they discovered a Toyota Avensis in a ditch.

The owner of the Landcruiser told officers the Avensis had struck his vehicle on purpose and after it had come to a stop he was attacked by the driver, identified as Armstrong, with a Stanley Knife before he drove off.

The court heard a co-accused also approached the vehicle with a hatchet and broke the window and tried to attack an individual in the car while the police officer told the court that another individual is believed to have sustained a broken kneecap during the incident.

Armstrong was located at South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) where he claimed that acid had been squirted in his face by, but this was not confirmed.

The police officer, in objecting to bail, felt Armstrong would reoffend and could attempt to intimidate witnesses.

Armstrong’s barrister, Ciaran Roddy, conceded that the offences were “serious matters” but pointed out that the investigation was at an early stage and his client could be managed with stringent bail conditions.

However, District Judge Steven Keown described Armstrong as “out of control” and refused bail.

Armstrong will appear via video link on May 10.