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A 26-year-old Lurgan woman accused of attempting to murder her partner after he allegedly winked at another woman has been granted conditional bail, subject to an approved address situated strictly outside the district. Karla Hanratty, of Derry Street, Lurgan, faces an attempted murder charge arising from a domestic dispute on 21 February that left her partner hospitalised with multiple knife wounds and a punctured lung. While the judiciary has sanctioned her conditional release from Hydebank Wood Prison, formal prosecution directions before Craigavon Magistrates’ Court remain subject to procedural reviews pending outstanding medical records, forensic statements, and mutual counter-allegations.
Daily Dazzling Dawn understands emergency services were dispatched to the residential property after Northern Ireland Ambulance Service personnel alerted police that they were treating a male casualty who had sustained multiple knife wounds. First responders discovered the complainant slumped on an interior staircase, suffering from two stab wounds to his back and a laceration to his arm. Medical teams transferred the injured man to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for emergency intervention, where clinicians treated life-threatening internal injuries, including a punctured lung.
During formal court submissions, Daily Dazzling Dawn learned that two independent witnesses inside the house stated an intense argument erupted between Hanratty and the complainant in a bedroom after he purportedly winked at another woman present. The prosecution submitted that Hanratty allegedly threatened to stab the complainant before inflicting the wounds with a blade measuring between three and four inches. Police officers confirmed that upon being cautioned and removed from the property, Hanratty made an immediate verbal admission, stating: "I stabbed him in the back."
Defence counsel Joel Lindsay outlined a contradictory account to the bench, maintaining that his client acted in lawful self-defence while trapped inside an abusive and controlling relationship. Hanratty told interviewing detectives that during the confrontation, the complainant pulled her off the bed, fracturing two of her ribs, and intentionally damaged her mobile phone. The defence explained that Hanratty retrieved the small knife from her cosmetic bag to protect herself as she stood on the bed, expressly denying any intention to inflict lethal harm and stating she could no longer endure persistent physical violence.
The prosecution confirmed to the court that police inquiries have expanded into mutual counter-allegations between both parties. A detective gave evidence indicating that the complainant has already undergone police interview concerning allegations raised against him by Hanratty. Concurrently, detectives intend to question Hanratty regarding a separate allegation of attempted grievous bodily harm involving a knife, allegedly carried out against the same man four days prior to the stabbing on 21 February.
Proceedings before the court have encountered administrative delays while awaiting the submission of an outstanding Domestic Incident Report, Achieving Best Evidence transcripts, and complete medical notes. Directing officers from the Public Prosecution Service require additional time to review responding officers' body-worn video footage and verify hospital records before final progress directions can be delivered.
Addressing a previous breach of court terms, defence counsel submitted that Hanratty had previously breached bail conditions solely through alcohol consumption, rather than any inappropriate contact with witnesses or the complainant. Counsel informed the court that the defendant was experiencing acute personal distress while detained in Hydebank Wood Prison.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan approved bail on the strict condition that Hanratty must not be released until police verify a suitable residential address situated entirely outside the Lurgan area. The court imposed stringent supervisory conditions, including a mandatory curfew and an absolute prohibition barring her from contacting the complainant or any named prosecution witnesses. Delivering his ruling, the judge issued a direct warning to Hanratty, confirming that any subsequent breach of these conditions will result in an immediate return to custody.
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