Tanya Fowles

A County Fermanagh man in his twenties has been denied bail after being charged with alleged domestic abuse, including strangulation, unlawful imprisonment, assault, stalking and coercive control over a relationship said to have begun in May 2025. Police argued there was a high risk of reoffending and witness interference, while the defence proposed strict bail conditions and addiction treatment. District Judge Conor Heaney refused bail, citing the seriousness of the risks. An interim reporting restriction preventing the accused from being named was granted because of claimed self-harm concerns, with the press set to challenge it at a review hearing on September 2.

Muhammad Usama, 28, of Omagh, is accused of sexually touching a child under 13, taking or making an indecent photograph of a child, and indecent behaviour in a public place, allegedly on July 8 near Omagh Leisure Centre. He denies the charges. Police opposed bail, citing alleged breaches of previous conditions, reoffending concerns, alcohol use and risks to young people, while the defence proposed family supervision and an alternative Omagh address. District Judge Suzanne Rice refused bail, saying the seriousness of the allegations and repeated non-compliance left no conditions that would adequately protect the public or prevent interference with justice. Usama is due to appear again by video link on September 14.

A County Fermanagh man in his forties appeared at Dungannon Magistrates Court accused of breaching a non-molestation order and engaging in abusive behaviour toward his former partner. Prosecutors allege he sent his 14-year-old daughter messages instructing her to damage property and conceal alcohol in the family home as part of an effort to intimidate and manipulate her mother. He denies the allegations and claims the messages were fabricated. Police described him as a high-risk domestic-abuse perpetrator and opposed bail, citing a history of abuse, alleged breaches, and concerns about the child’s safety. District Judge Alana McSorley granted bail under strict conditions, including no contact with the former partner or daughter and cooperation with Social Services; the case is due to return to court on September 7.

Ryan Patrick Martin Kerr, 34, and Deena McDonald, 29, have been returned for trial in connection with the death of 71-year-old Adam Krzan, who was found severely injured at his home in Dungannon on 27 February 2025. A postmortem found that he had been stabbed three times in the chest and twice in the neck. Kerr faces a murder charge and remains in custody, while McDonald is accused of withholding information that could have helped secure a prosecution and was released on £250 bail. The case is due to proceed at Dungannon Crown Court.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council rejected, by 20 votes to 12 with two abstentions, a proposal to write again to Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins about an Irish banner and tricolour displayed on Department for Infrastructure property around Easter. Ulster Unionist councillor Victor Warrington argued that the displays may have breached the law and sought to submit a photograph featuring Sinn Féin councillor Elaine Brough. Sinn Féin councillors opposed further action, calling the matter a waste of council time, while the Department said it was unaware of the banners.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has delayed installing two Ulster Scots road signs after concerns were raised about the accuracy and origins of the proposed translations. Of 20 roads surveyed, 17 met the threshold for bilingual signage: 15 Irish-language signs were approved, while the two Ulster Scots signs remain on hold pending a definitive translation. Councillors highlighted the lack of established precedent and the need for local linguistic expertise, while the committee approved the Irish signs by majority vote despite opposition from unionist groupings.