‘Frenzied’ Dundonald knife attack may be linked to row over dog, court is told

The 39-year-old sustained wounds to his head and upper body at an apartment complex in Dundonald on Saturday night.

Jonathan Orr, 46, appeared at Downpatrick Magistrates’ Court, sitting in Belfast, charged with his attempted murder.

Orr, of Fraser Pass in the city, faces a further count of possessing an offensive weapon - namely a knife or a blade - with intent.

He was arrested after police went to the scene of the alleged stabbing on the Comber Road.

The alleged victim was taken to hospital, where his condition was described as serious.

Opposing Orr’s application for bail, a detective said significant injuries were inflicted.

“It was a frenzied attack captured on CCTV,” she claimed.

The court heard footage shows a man in a white T-shirt on top of the alleged victim, apparently holding a knife and making stabbing motions.

Another person then intervenes and removes the blade. During interviews Orr denied having a knife in his possession.

Expressing concerns about community tensions and potential retaliation, the detective claimed there were past issues between the accused and alleged victim.

But defence barrister Richard McConkey rejected any suggestion of a “sinister” feud.

“There was an allegation of a significant attack by a dog on the defendant’s partner. The dog belongs to the alleged victim in this case.”

Orr was then labelled a “police tout” after the dog incident was reported, according to Mr McConkey.

“This is a dispute between people living in the same apartment block,” he added.

District Judge Mark McGarrity heard Orr moved into his partner’s Comber Road address during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Bail was refused, however, due to the risk of re-offending.

Mr McGarrity remanded Orr in custody to appear again next month.