Grieving man chased brother with kitchen knife after family row turned violent

A grieving west Belfast man allegedly chased his brother with a knife after a family row turned violent, a court heard on Monday.
Pacemaker Press 22/5/2013   Belfast High Court Building  in Belfast City centre  Pic Colm Lenaghan/PacemakerPacemaker Press 22/5/2013   Belfast High Court Building  in Belfast City centre  Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker
Pacemaker Press 22/5/2013 Belfast High Court Building in Belfast City centre Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

Darren Neeson is accused of assaulting and threatening to kill two of his siblings during confrontations over the weekend.

But the 32-year-old defendant claims he was head-butted and suffered a suspected broken nose.

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Neeson, of Glencolin Manor, appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court charged with three common assaults, two counts of threats to kill, and possessing a blade in public.

The alleged offences were committed between May 7-9.

A judge was told the accused and his brother had argued at the family home following the recent death of their mother.

Darren Neeson allegedly inflicted an ear injury before his sister came between them.

According to police, he then came out of the house carrying a kitchen knife and chased his brother while screaming and shouting.

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At one stage he also made a phone call stating that he was going to kill his sister, it was claimed.

Defence barrister Luke Curran told the court there was a “tragic background” to the case, which involved the death of his client’s mother.

He contended that Darren Neeson denies any threats and only had the knife because he was preparing food in the kitchen.

“At no time did he try to stab his brother,” counsel insisted.

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Setting out the defendant’s counter allegations, Mr Curran added: “He says that he was punched and head-butted, and there was then a scuffle.”

Deputy District Judge Trevor Browne described it as an “ugly incident”.

“This clearly is a family fall out,” he said.

Neeson was granted bail, however, to reside at an approved address.

Mr Browne ordered: “He is to have no contact with the complainants, i.e. his sister and brother.”