Pearse mccauley facing new charge and life imprisonment

Prominent Republican Pearse McCauley (50) was yesterday morning (Thursday, May 28) charged with an additional offence against his estranged wife and former Sinn Féin councillor that carries with it a maximum prison term of life.

Mr McCauley with an address listed as Apartment 2, Block 1, Ballyconnell, Co Cavan, was accused by Inspector Seamus Boyle of Section 4 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person's Act, which reads: 'A person who intentionally or recklessly causes serious harm to another shall be guilty of an offence.'

He is accused of committing the offence at Keelderry, Kilnaleck, Co Cavan, on Christmas Eve of last year with Pauline Tully the alleged injured party.

He appeared before Cavan District Court's Judge James Faughnan and only spoke - 'yes' - to confirm that he understood his alibi warning.

He is also charged charged with assaulting Ms Tully, causing her harm on the same occasion.

In addition, he is charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to her brother, Thomas Tully and with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to a neighbour, Seamus Leddy, again, on December 24.

He was also served with the Book of Evidence from Sgt Michael Fitzpatrick of Kilnaleck Garda Station and his case was remanded in custody to Castlerea Prison to the next sitting of Cavan Circuit Court in June.