A thug bit so hard into the face of another man that there was a hole left in his cheek through to the inside of his mouth.

Stephen Fox arriving at court for sentence. Pic by Northwest Newspix.

Details of the horrific attack, which took place at a house party in Letterkenny, were given in court yesterday.

Chef Stephen Fox, 25, admitted to the brutal attack on Kelvin McLaughlin at the party in April, 2012.

A shaken Mr McLaughlin, an architectural student, recalled to Judge John O’Hagan how the attack has changed his life forever.

Despite extensive plastic surgery, he has been left with visible scars while he also continues to suffer psychological torture as a result of the attack.

The court hard how both men had been at a party at 27A Oaklands Park and that there had been words between the pair earlier in the night.

Fox called Mr McLaughlin out to the back door and as the pair chatted, Fox lunged at the victim and sunk his teeth into his face.

And although the victim fell backwards onto the ground, his attacker remained “locked-on” as he fell.

Mr McLaughlin was rushed to hospital and had to receive extensive treatment at Letterkenny General Hospital and at a plastic surgery unit at St James Hospital in Dublin.

Judge O’Hagan asked the victim to come closer in the witness box so h could see his injuries.

When asked, Mr McLaughlin described the pain he suffered in the immediate aftermath of the vicious attack.

“I went to Letterkenny hospital but they didn’t have anyone qualified and I was told I would have to wait for three days.

“I sat there with a piece missing out of my face for three days before going to Dublin for more plastic surgery.

“The pain was horrific and I felt like I was on fire. I was eating painkillers but I still felt like I was on fire – burning and tingling,” he said.

He said he is still paranoid about his scarring.

“I tried to forget about it but people began saying that I was getting very withdrawn. I didn’t want to see anyone. I used to be very confident but I thought my face was destroyed for life,” he said.

Judge O’Hagan put it to the victim that he was a young man and if he had still been able to have girlfriends and Mr McLaughlin said he had.

His attacker took to the stand as he said h anted to apologise to Mr McLaughin.

He said he thought about contacting his victim by social media to say sorry but he could not bring himself to do so.

“I want to take back what happened that night – he is scarred for life. I wish I could take it back but I can’t. I have no animosity towards him at all. Even just looking at him is hurting, it’s hurting me,” he said.

He added that although his family had little money, he was prepared to work to put together several thousands euro together as some mans of compensation to his victim.

And he added “He might never accept my apology and I can understand that he may never forgive m for what happened.”

Judge O’Hagan said the attack was ‘totally unprovoked.’

“To deliberately bite someone and to engage your teeth in their flesh must require a certain amount of intent.

“And to do so in the manner it was done could not have had any other real result but than a severe injury.

“It could b said that it may not have man to have been as severe as it was,” he said.

He added that he did not think the offer of compensation was a realistic one.

He sentenced Fox to four years in prison on the Section 4 assault charge and suspended the final two years.

He also backdated the sentence to December 22nd last – the date when Fox was arrested by Gardai after he was extradited on a European Police warrant from Glasgow where h now lives.

A young girl has denied making up claims she was sexually assaulted because she wasn’t allowed to wear a white dress on her sister’s communion day.

The 15 year old was giving evidence against a 37 year old man who is accused of sexually assaulting her twice at her sister’s communion party in Co Donegal in April 24th, 2010.

The girl, who was aged 10 at the time, denied she made up the claims because she was not the centre of attention at her home on the day.

The girl gave evidence against a man she had called her ‘uncle’ because her family were so close to him.

However, barrister for the accused Mr Peter Nolan, said the reality was that she made up the claims.

He said she told a li and now it had turned into a monster.

However the girl told Letterkenny Circuit Court the man sat beside the girl on a sofa, put his hand on her knee and then moved his hand up her leg and touched her private parts.

She said the incident lasted up to three minutes.

But Mr Nolan said this was not believable as nobody else in the room, up to nine young people, had seen any of this happening.

The girl said she was shocked and ran upstairs to hide under her mother’s bed.

She then claimed the man came upstairs and then sexually assaulted her again.

The girl’s mother said the accused was a friend of hers whom she had collected in her car and they bought wine together for the communion party.

She denied claims that her daughter was in a bad mood as she wasn’t allowed wear white because it was her sister’s communion day.

The woman said that when she heard the claims that her daughter had been assaulted, she sent another daughter to get the man.

Mr Nolan said he found it bizarre that a mother would send her daughter to approach a man whom it had been claimed sexually assaulted another daughter.

When the accused man came down, an altercation took place and she slapped the man and he slapped her back.

She denied being drunk but admitted enjoying the party and drinking wine.

A neighbour said she knew there was something wrong in the house when she hard a lot of crying and shouting in the house.

She said she came out into the garden and found a man who said h was being accused of touching one of the young girls.

The alleged victim and his sister then arrived out and hugged the woman and they claimed one of them had ben assaulted by the man.

Judge John O’Hagan asked who contacted the Gardai and was told it was another friend in the house.

The case continues today (FRI).

BREAKING NEWS: A man accused of sexually assaulting a 10 year old girl at her sister’s first communion party has been found not guilty.

Letterkenny Court.

The 37 year old appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court, charged with two counts of sexual assault on April 24th, 2010.

During the three day trial the girl and her sister appeared by video-link.

The girl, who is now 15, said the man touched her on her private parts as they sat in a sofa in the living room during the party.

She also claimed the man followed her to her mother’s bedroom later in the evening and again touched her private parts and kissed her.

The man, whom the girl and her family referred to as an uncle because of their once close friendship, denied both charges.

Barrister for the accused, Mr Peter Nolan, said the evidence was unbelievable as nobody else in a roomful of people saw the alleged sexual assault taking place.

The accused man alleged the girl’s mother had claimed she was in a bad mood because she was allowed to wear a white communion dress like her sister.

Giving evidence the accused said he had merely gave the girl a hug as she had ben sad and had locked herself away from the party in her mother’s bedroom.

H said he then fell asleep on the bed and he was awoken by the alleged victim’s sister.

When he came downstairs he said he was attacked by the girl’s mother with a bottle.

He said “I never touched or sexually assaulted her. Nothing like that ever happened.

“I did not touch her at all under her clothes or her privates or her bottom.

“Why is she saying all this? I find it difficult to get into her mind and only she can explain why she is doing this.”

The jury of six men and six woman took just more than half an hour to reach a not guilty verdict on the two charges of sexual assault.

An Inishowen man charged with murdering his parents at their Carndonagh home is to appear in court again on March 13th.

Julian Cuddihy appeared in court yesterday. Pic by Northwest News Pix.

Julian Cuddihy appeared at Harristown District Court yesterday where he was remanded in custody.

The 42 year old is charge with killing his parents Jimmy, 77, and Kathleen, 73, last October.

A woman who was given a cheque-book by a bank to start a new business went on a spending spree before the loan was officially approved.

Ms Devine cashed a number of cheques across Donegal.

Fiona Devine, 41, approached the AIB bank to start a second-hand furniture business in Letterkenny, Co Donegal.

She was told the loan application for €10,000 was looking good and was even given a cheque-book.

The mother-of-five began purchasing various items over a six week period between September and October in 2013.

However, two weeks alter she was told by the AIB that the loan application was being refused but could appeal the decision.

Ms Devine continued to cash various cheques in towns across Donegal including Letterkenny, Milford, Burt, Fanad, Ramelton, Ballybofey and Convoy to the value of €6,778.34.

Solicitor Michael Shiel, said his client, of 18 St Columba’s Terrace, Letterkenny, was realistically never going to get her business off the ground.

He said she suffered from bi-polar disorder and handed a medical report into Letterkenny District Court.

He said Ms Devine had bought a number of items including a laptop computer, kettle, electric blanket and toaster which had not even been taken out of their wrapping.

The court heard that cash was also drawn down on top of the cheques for goods and that no compensation had been received by any of the companies defrauded.

In total she faced 51 charges of theft and making gain or causing loss by deception.

Judge Paul asked for a probation report in the case and adjourned the case until April 20th.

A Muslim man found to be four times over the drink driving limit claimed he had taken a herbal cough mixture just before he was stopped by Gardai.

Letterkenny Court.

Nassir Amour, appeared before Letterkenny Dsitrict Court on two charges of drink driving and dangerous driving

The 42 year old from St.Mary’s Park in Donegal Town, had been involved in a traffic accident at Lurgybrack outside Letterkenny on November 27th, 2013.

Amour’s solicitor James Canny said his client said his client had a very good reason why he was over the alcohol limit.

He said that as a Muslim his client did not drink at all.

However, he said that on the night he had consumed a herbal medication which almost completely consisted of alcohol.

“He had been on and off it and had just taken it. He found that it cleared his chest,” said Mr Canny.

Judge Paul Kelly replied “I’m sure it does.”

Judge Kelly convicted Amour of drink-driving and fined him €200 while also dismissing the dangerous driving charge.

Upon leaving the court Judge Kelly addressed Amour and said “Check the ingredients the next time.”

A woman attacked her ex-husband with a spanner and split him open before attacking his car.

Frances Brolly appeared before Letterkenny District Court charged with assaulting her former husband John Brolly at Cloughfin, Lifford, Co Donegal.

Ms Brolly, 49, who now lives at Dunowen Park, Clady, Co Tyrone, attacked her husband and left him needing five stitches to his head.

Her husband told investigating Gardai that he was very frightened after the incident and feared more serious harm could have been caused during the incident on December 31st, 2013.

Garda Inspector John O’Toole told the court that the windscreen of Mr Brolly’s jeep had been smashed and there were several dents to the vehicle.

Solicitor Frank Dorrian said his client had been going through a very difficult time on the day in question.

He said she was now very remorseful for what had happened.

Judge Paul Kelly said there was a complex background but that this was a very serious charge.

He adjourned the case until April 20th and ordered a probation report on Ms Brolly.

The scene at Manor post office: Pic Copyright Joe Boland North West News Pix

Three men charged in connection with robbing a Co Donegal post office have been remanded in custody.

The men, all from Co Derry, appeared amidst heavy security in handcuffs at Letterkenny District Court today.

The three, Noel Lavy, Joseph McMullan and David Knight, are charged with robbery and criminal damage at Manorcunningham Post office on October 3rd last.

Solicitor for McMullan, Mr Frank Dorrian applied for bail for his client.

He said he had little means, had no passport and could sign on at Burnfoot Garda station just a few miles from his home in Derry.

However Judge Paul Kelly refused the application.

Knight, is 36 and from 24 Melmore Gardens in Derry, Lavy, is also 36 and from 57 Ballymagowan, Derry, and McMullan, is from Kavanagh Court in Derry

He remanded all three in custody to appear at the next sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court on April 28th.

Two Letterkenny men taking part in a fundraising night for the Donegal Hospice have been ordered to pay compensation after a car was damaged.

Andrew Fagan, 34, and Paul Casey, 33, became involved in the incident outside the Cavern Bar on August 11th last.

The pair became embroiled in an incident which was witnessed by Gardai.

Both men, Casey of Cruach Mor, Mountaintop and Fagan, of Ballaghderg, Letterkenny were charged with criminal damage and using threatening and abusive behaviour.

Letterkenny District Court was told how Fagan was spotted kicking a car door on CCTV footage.

Solicitor Frank Dorrian said both men were ashamed of their actions and even more so because they were taking part in a charity fundraising exercise at the time.

Judge Paul Kelly adjourned the matter until April 20th to allow the men time to pay for the damage to the car.

A man was arrested by Gardai after they found him in a car with a high-powered rifle.

Letterkenny Court.

Mark Rogan, who is from Northern Ireland, but whose family has a holiday home in Fanad, was stopped on the evening of October 10th, 2013.

Rogan said he was simply hunting rabbits and told Gardai he held on the relevant gun licenses including a general European license.

However, Garda Enda Jennings said this license did not cover Rogan to shoot in the south.

He was arrested and told the license did not cover him and that he would have to apply for a non-resident license.

The accused man’s solicitor, Patsy Gallagher, said his client was a very proficient gamehunter who had ben shooting for a number of years in Ireland and across Europe.

He said the Gardai had agreed to give back the gun to his client and that he would get the license to shoot in the south.

Judge Paul Kelly agreed to strike out the charge.

A farmer has promised a judge he will turn up in court – after he drowns the shamrock!

Letterkenny Court.

Leslie Stewart from Glenswilly, appeared in court charged with allowing his animals to winder onto a public road.

Speaking at today’s sitting of Letterkenny District Court, Judge James Faughnan adjourned the case until March 18th.

He warned Stewart that he should turn up for the case on the day.

“Make sure you turn up. It’s the day after St.Patrick’s Day,” said the judge.

He accused replied “I will. I’ll have the shamrock well and truly drowned by that stage.”

A Falcarragh man was fined €350 for dangerous driving after being caught “fish-tailing” by Gardai.

Anthony Ferry, of Lower Dunmore, appeared in court charged with the offence which happened on January 26th, 2014

Garda Martin Gallagher told the court that he was traveling in the area when he encountered a red van coming around a corner exiting a bind bend at speed on the wrong side of the road.

The van did a fish-tail manoeuvre which saw the back of his car slide from one side to the other.

Garda Gallagher said the conditions were wet on the day and that there was no centre dividing line on the road.

Solicitor Frank Dorrian said it was a windy day and that Ferry was in a rush to help his father on the family farm.

The court heard that 30 year old Ferry had three previous convictions which were all for drink driving.

Judge James Faughnan fined Ferry €350.

The late Denis Donaldson

The family of British spy Denis Donaldson have said they are disappointed that an inquest into his murder has been adjourned for the fifteenth time.

The Sinn Féin official was murdered by Derry dissidents at remote cottage near Glenties in April 2006.

He fled there after the fact that he had been an informer for the police and MI5 for 20 years was exposed.

In a statement today his family said their interests were not being “respected or protected” by Gardai.

They said that it was “with deepest regret” that they heard that the State had applied to adjourn the inquest again.

The statement released by the family’s solicitors said that gardaí said the delay was “due to their continuing investigations”.

They said that Gardai were continuing to withhold a copy of Mr Donaldson’s diary which he had been writing shortly before his death.

Donegal’s newest Judge is looking for his GAA players back!

Judge James Faughnan

Judge James Faughnan is filling in for District Court Judge Paul Kelly.

He was welcomed to Letterkenny District Court yesterday by fellow Leitrim man and well-known local solicitor Kieran O’Gorman.

The pair came to the conclusion that there was very few people left in their native county as most had moved away.

Judge Faughnan even suggested that Donegal should send any footballers that are now living in Co Donegal back to Leitrim to help out the county squad.

A case of alleged drink-driving against Donegal Senator Brian O Domhnaill has been adjourned again until March 16th.

Senator O’Domhnaill

Seantor O Domhnaill, 38, from Killult, Falcarragh, did not appear at Letterkenny District Court this morning.

The charges include drink-driving as well as hit and run failing to report an occurrence, hit and run failing to remain at the scene and hit and run failing to give appropriate information.

The incident is alleged to have happened at Tullygay outside Letterkenny on September 2nd, 2013.

Senator O Domhnaill’s solicitor John Canon addressed the court in Irish.

Judge Paul Kelly, who also addressed the court in Irish, agreed to the adjournment.

William James McElwaine

A man who glued the locks of dozens of cars and homes has appeared in court to pay compensation to his victims.

William James McElwaine, 28, appeared at Letterkenny District Court in Co Donegal to pay another €300 to his victims.

McElwaine faces a total of 29 charges of criminal damage on at least ten different occasions between September 2012 and May 2013.

His arrest follows a spate of glue attacks on property which left more than €4,000 worth of damage to the homes of young families and pensioners.

The court was told that McElwaine, of Earlsfort, Buncrana, has paid a total of €1,700 to compensate his victims.

Pensioners and young families at Ballymacool Terrace in Letterkenny were locked out of their homes when their front doors were super-glued.

A series of other attacks then occurred at various locations across the town.

Such was the high number of incidents that a local locksmith even offered a special dal to those targeted to have their locks replaced.

Solicitor Frank Dorrian said his client continued to gather the money to compensate his victims.

He also asked for a psychiatric report on his client.

Judge Paul Kelly adjourned the case until May 21st to allow for further payments to be made.

A Judge has told a man with 116 previous convictions that he is in court more often than he is.

Letterkenny Court.

John Ward appeared before Letterkenny District Court in Co Donegal charged with being intoxicated.

The court heard that Ward, 31, of Longlands, Convoy, was arrested by Gardai after an incident on October 16th, 2014.

When Judge Paul Kelly heard the accused had 116 previous convictions he told Ward’s solicitor “He’s here more often than me and you.”

Garda Inspector Goretti Sheridan ask the Judge if he would like her to read out the list of previous convictions.

Judge Kelly replied “ I wouldn’t have time to listen to all the convictions today, Inspector.”

He fined Ward €250 for being intoxicated.

A young man who told Gardai his name was Jimmy Saville probably hadn’t picked the wisest name, a Judge has said.

Shaun McNamee, 22, was stopped by Gardai at Lower Main Street in Letterkenny, Co Donegal on November 22nd, 2014.

He told Gardai his name was Jimmy Saville and was then arrested.

Speaking at Letterkenny District Court, Judge Paul Kelly said “He called himself Jimmy Saville – probabaly not the wisest name to pick.”

He fined McNamee, of Memore Drive, Omagh, €80 for being intoxicated and took another charge of engaging and insulting behaviour into account.

A terrified man was forced to lock himself inside his car after a complete stranger tried to attack him with a bill hook outside a Letterkenny Shopping Complex.

A bill hook similar to the one used by Connors on a stranger outside Letterkenny Shopping Centre.

Danny Connors approached Richard Gardner who was simply going for a pint of milk at the Glencar Shopping Centre.

Connors, 20, shouted at Mr Gardner inviting him to box.

When the victim went closer to hear what Connors was saying, he was threatened with a bill hook.

Mr Gardner fled to his car but bravely followed Connors to where he was staying and then reported the matter to Gardai who later arrested the accused.

Connors, of Ennis Road, Limerick, appeared at Letterkenny District Court yesterday charged with being in possession of an article with intent to cause injury.

Connors claims he was visiting relatives at the time of the attack on April 2, 2014 and had been drinking heavily.

His solicitor Michael Shiel said the incident was a case of mistaken identity and that he “didn’t know Mr Gardner from Adam.”

Asked why he was carrying a bail hook around with him by Judge Paul Kelly, Mr Shiel said his client worked part-time for a farmer in Limerick and that it was simply in the boot of the car.

The court heard that Connors, a married father of three, had 17 previous convictions but most of these were for traffic offenses and also theft.

Judge Paul Kelly said he was skeptical about Connors’ story but said this was his first charge with any connection to violence.

He ordered Connors to se the probation services and after a consultation with the court, he agreed to undertake a period of community service.

A man facing drugs charges failed to turn up in court because he was installing water meters.

Paul Boyce was due to appear at Letterkenny District Court.

The 25 year old was caught by Sgt Paul Magee with €20 worth of cannabis at Shelfield, Ramelton on March 14th.

Sgt Magee revealed “I opened up the car and there was a very strong smell of cannabis form the cockpit.”

The court was told that Boyce, of Pound Street, Ramelton, could not appear in court as he was fitting water meters in Dublin.

Judge Paul Kelly fined Boyce, who had previous convictions for assault and public order, €250.