PORTADOWN MAN DARREN FAGAN SENTENCED FOR BRUTAL ATTACK ON TODDLER IN BESSBROOK

In June 2017, a man from Portadown named Darren Fagan was sentenced to a lengthy prison term after viciously assaulting a two-year-old girl in her home in Bessbrook, County Armagh. The attack resulted in severe, life-altering injuries to the young child, prompting widespread condemnation and a detailed court hearing at Belfast Crown Court.

Fagan, aged 29 and formerly residing on Clonavon Avenue in Portadown, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent to the toddler, who was just two years and four months old at the time of the incident. The court was informed that he had a troubling criminal history, with 58 previous convictions, including violent offenses and a prior assault on the 20-month-old child of a former partner. Prosecutors indicated that the charge of attempted murder remained on the books, leaving open the possibility of further legal action.

The incident occurred in October 2014 when Fagan was visiting the child's mother at her residence in Bessbrook. During this visit, Fagan attacked the young girl while she was sleeping in her cot. The assault inflicted catastrophic injuries, including a brain hemorrhage, multiple fractures to her head, and bleeding on the brain. Medical reports described her condition as 'life-changing,' with ongoing difficulties that would require extensive therapy and support.

Doctors at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry examined the child and found a large swelling on the left side of her head, along with an acute subdural hemorrhage. Further scans at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast revealed multiple skull fractures. The child's prognosis was grim, with medical professionals warning of a high risk of developing epilepsy and long-term disabilities affecting her speech, mobility, and cognitive functions. The report highlighted her current struggles, including difficulties with her right upper limb, reliance on assistance for walking, and speech and attention issues.

During the sentencing hearing, the court heard that the child's mother was separated from her father and was in a relationship with Fagan, whom she had met in person only eight to ten times. The young girl had spent part of the weekend with her grandparents and her father, all of whom reported her to be in good health before the attack. On the day of the incident, Fagan had stayed overnight at the mother's house and began drinking cider from 1:30 pm on Sunday, October 19, 2014.

According to the mother, after her daughter was put to bed that evening, she noticed her face was red and sweating. When she checked on her, she found her daughter unsettled. While searching for medication in the kitchen, she noticed Fagan was no longer in the living room. As she went upstairs, she heard a loud thud and found her daughter with a large lump above her eye and an indentation beneath it. She immediately shouted at Fagan, accusing him of hitting her child, to which he responded, 'no, it’s not what it looks like.'

The mother attempted to leave the house with her daughter but was prevented by Fagan, who insisted he could explain. She managed to push past him and ran to a nearby relative's house, where she called for an ambulance. The child was vomiting violently by this point, and emergency services arrived promptly. Paramedics found her unresponsive and in critical condition, requiring immediate resuscitation before being transported to Daisy Hill Hospital.

Police at the scene reported that a relative accused Fagan of punching the child. When police apprehended him, Fagan admitted to being the person they were seeking but initially denied any wrongdoing. En route to Banbridge police station, Fagan became agitated and violent, head-butting the inside of the police vehicle, which necessitated restraints.

Medical examinations confirmed the severity of the child's injuries. She had a large bulge on her head and an acute subdural hemorrhage. Further imaging revealed multiple skull fractures, indicating a severe trauma. The medical team warned that she would require ongoing intervention and support, with a significant risk of developing epilepsy in the future.

Throughout police interviews, Fagan provided false accounts, claiming the child had fallen down the stairs during an argument with her mother, who he falsely accused of drinking and drug use. In reality, the mother was pregnant at the time and was not under the influence of any substances. Fagan's statements sought to shift blame onto her, but evidence and medical findings contradicted his claims.

Fagan also admitted to physically assaulting the child out of frustration, stating he wanted peace to watch television and that she would not stop crying. His history of violence, including ten counts of assault and two of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, was heavily considered during sentencing. The Probation Service classified him as a dangerous offender, with a high likelihood of reoffending and causing serious harm in the future.

Judge Geoffrey Miller QC described Fagan’s police interview responses as 'cowardly, vindictive and shameful,' criticizing his false story that blamed the mother for the injuries. The judge emphasized that Fagan's actions were a serious and high-culpability assault, with the potential for lifelong consequences for the child and her family.

In sentencing, Fagan was given a total of 13 and a half years in prison, with an extended three-year sentence for public protection. The judge explained that Fagan would serve half of his sentence before being eligible for parole, with the remaining nine years and three months on supervised release if deemed safe. The court made it clear that Fagan posed a significant risk to society, and his actions had inflicted irreparable harm on an innocent child, for which he alone was responsible.