The man is accused of “raining punches” down on her before other guests at the hotel intervened
Google View of the Ibis Hotel at the corner of Castle Street and King Street(Image: Google)
A Co Longford man allegedly imprisoned and kicked his fiancée about the head after a row flared in a Belfast city centre hotel room, a court heard on Thursday.
Paul Kelly, 32, is also accused of “raining punches” down on her before other guests at the Ibis Hotel intervened. The woman stated at the time that she thought he would kill her, a judge was told.
Details emerged as Kelly, of no fixed abode, mounted a renewed bid to be released on bail. He is currently in custody facing disputed charges of attempted grievous bodily harm, false imprisonment and assault occasioning actual bodily harm on April 2 this year.
Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard police discovered the alleged victim at the hotel on Castle Street with obvious injuries to her face and head.
The woman alleged she had been drinking with Kelly in their room when he became verbally aggressive and brought up past incidents.
She tried to defuse the situation before packing a suitcase and making attempts to leave. But he dragged her back into the room, threw her on the floor and punched her repeatedly about the head and face, it was claimed.
An investigating detective said: “She stated that he began to kick her all over her head and body too.
“She continued to shout for help and stated that she genuinely believed he may kill her. After a short time other residents heard her screams for help and entered the room, seeing the defendant over her, raining punches down on her.”
Kelly allegedly left the hotel at that stage, but was subsequently arrested and denied any altercation took place.
Opposing bail, police stressed that he has no ties to the jurisdiction. But District Judge George Conner also heard the alleged victim has now withdrawn her complaint.
“The injured party is categorically saying she will not under any circumstances attend court, so that changes the landscape,” a defence lawyer said.
He told the court gardai could be notified of Kelly’s plans to live at an address in the Co Longford area.
Judge Conner adjourned the bail application for further checks to establish if the proposed accommodation is approved.
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