The teenager, who cannot be identified because of her age, appeared via video at Dungannon Magistrates’ Court today. In addition to the charge of attempted murder of a female social worker, he is also accused of possessing offensive weapons, namely a knife. The offenses follow a serious assault in the Union Place area of Dungannon on Thursday. A police detective said he could connect the girls to both charges. The officer explained that the girl is a refugee and while her country of residence was not disclosed, it is known that she traveled alone to Northern Ireland in 2021. There is no parental or adult responsibility and since arriving in Dungannon a few months ago he has been supported by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust 14+ team. The court heard there had been several missing person reports, the most recent being last week. After she was spotted in Belfast on Thursday, police alerted her social worker and she returned to her home in Dungannon. The social worker and assigned support team attended the home, which had been cleaned for her return. She entered the property with her social worker who went into the kitchen and began unpacking, telling her: “I bought you all your favorite things.” The court was told without warning the girl: “Immediately hit the social worker on the back of the head with the tip of a knife.” The victim screamed and was hit again in the head, once in the neck and twice in the arm Police were still outside and restrained the girl while an ambulance arrived and rushed the social worker to Craigavon District Hospital. He was then taken to Ulster Hospital where he underwent specialist surgery and remains there. The girl was arrested and the court was told during interview that she admitted hitting the social worker with the knife but gave no indication why she did it. The detective objected to bail on the flight risk basis as the girl has been reported missing seven times in recent months and commented on his desire to flee to Scotland. Her identity has yet to be fully confirmed and there are five different dates of birth and six variations of her age registered with the Home Office. “It was a completely unprovoked attack on the designated social worker. There is no parental or adult responsibility and the Southern Trust has withdrawn the address it had provided. “Accommodation in the children’s home is also considered inappropriate as the accused is a danger to other people,” said the officer. A defense barrister said: “While my client has made admissions, she has also expressed great remorse for the injuries caused. However, I do not believe it is in the best interests of my client or this process to apply for bail at this time. There are concerns about her asylum status and age and these issues need to be clarified.” The judge described all the circumstances as “deeply disturbing” and remanded the child in custody to appear again via video at Dungannon Youth Court later this month.
