Judge said Kilmessan man on assault charge needs to be in court

Judge Eirinn McKiernan said the defendant accused of assault needed to be present in order for her to decide how to deal with the case.

Judge McKiernan adjourned the case of Alan Mulligan of Evergreen Court, Kilmessan to 12th May to finalise.

Solicitor Ciara Burke told the court that the 40 year-old had an operation and was not present when the matter was called.

An outline was given of the circumstances of the assault at Main Street, Dunshaughlin on 22nd April 2023. The defendant was said to have stood in front of a car that drove into a car park and the vehicle nudged him.

He walked round to the driver’s side window and punched the driver in the face.

Judge McKiernan said she would have to have the defendant present and to get a victim impact statement.

Sergeant Alan Ratcliffe said a victim impact statement had been canvassed.

She was told the defendant had no convictions for assault. His convictions were mainly for road traffic and public order offences.

Separately, a 50 year-old Ashbourne motorist who struck a cyclist had his charge dismissed in court.

Simon McDermott from Kilbrew appeared before Trim District Court charged with careless driving.

After hearing an outline how the accident occurred at Fairyhouse Road, Ratoath in extremely wet conditions, Judge Eirinn McKiernan marked the facts proven and dismissed the charge on Tuesday.

Defence barrister James O’Brien explained on the date –June 24 last year that the defendant had limited visibility. He tried to move out as much as he could with the road busy and the defendant couldn’t stop.

It was stated that the defendant‘s Volkswagen Passat struck the rear of the cyclist. He had insurance and had a clear record.

- Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme