Coleraine, Northern Ireland – A dispute over a missing dog escalated into a brutal assault where a man was allegedly beaten with a pull-up bar up to 40 times. The incident, which unfolded on June 17, occurred when two men entered a home in Kilrea and attacked a sleeping resident.
Andrew Yearl, 27, of Coolnasillagh Road in Garvagh, appeared at Limavady Magistrate’s Court in Coleraine facing multiple charges. Among them are attempted murder, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, threatening to kill a woman, and causing unnecessary suffering to a dog which ultimately had to be euthanized.
According to the victim’s statement, the intruders assaulted him repeatedly asking for the whereabouts of Yearl’s missing dog. Descriptions from the scene depict a gruesome attack that resulted in severe injuries to the victim’s head, bodies, and legs. Due to the extensive injuries, medical staff had to sedate the victim, delaying his complete testimony to the police.
Earlier that same day, an altercation reportedly occurred at the residence of the victim’s mother involving several individuals, escalating fears of retaliation over the disputed dog. It was during this confrontation that the victim expressed concerns for his life linked directly to the canine’s disappearance.
Police investigation revealed two dogs were found at Yearl’s residence, one of whom was discovered alone in a room, visibly injured with slashes across its back, and ultimately had to be euthanized. This dog was different from the one alleged to have been involved in the dispute.
During the court session, defense counsel Alan Stewart highlighted Yearl’s lack of a prior criminal record and noted that his client claimed self-defense in the incident involving the dog that was put down. Yearl reported that he had been attacked by the animal and had to respond to protect himself.
The prosecution, however, focused on the ongoing risk and unresolved aspects of the case, notably the missing weapon used in the attack, a pull-up bar, which police have not yet recovered. This is considered a crucial piece of evidence in the case against Yearl.
District Judge Peter King expressed his concern regarding the serious nature of the charges and the evidence still at large. Given these factors, he denied bail for Yearl, remanding him in custody until a follow-up hearing on July 8.
The court was left with lingering questions regarding the time frame needed for a complete investigation, including forensic analysis, to which the officer in charge could not provide a definitive answer.