Man appears in court charged with serious assault in Ballivor

A 45-year-old man with a Balbriggan address appeared in custody at Trim District Court today charged with assault in relation to an incident in Ballivor, Co Meath on Monday.

Des Sheils, Taylor Hill, Balbriggan, a father of six children, was charged with assault causing harm, production of an article in the course of a dispute and threats to kill or cause harm to another individual.

Detective Garda Jill Mangan gave evidence of having arrested, charged and cautioned the accused who was represented in court by barrister Hugo Mills instructed by solicitor Phelim O'Neill.

She said it would be alleged that the accused turned up at an apartment in Ballivor where his 23-year-old daughter and her ex-partner were living. It was also alleged that he used a ladder to gain access to the balcony, entered the apartment where he attacked the ex-partner using a hammer. The victim was seriously injured and was transferred to Tullamore Hospital and later to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin. She said that the alleged victim had had two bleeds and two fractures on his brain and had had surgery at the Beaumont last night.

The detective said that there were objections to bail on the basis that the accused might interfere with witness and that he had made threats. The barrister said his client had nothing against him apart from an arrest warrant 26 years ago.

Mills told Judge Eirinn McKiernan that his client was the father of six children aged between four and 23. The four-year-old had a condition which would necessitate treatment in the United States.

Judge McKiernan granted bail to the accused in the sum of €200 with conditions that he would have no contact direct or indirect with the victim or other witnesses; that he stay out of Ballivor and Tallaght (the home of the alleged victim); that he surrender all travel documents with the exception of the sated visit to the United States; and that he sign on on Mondays and Fridays at Balbriggan Garda Station. She remanded him to Trim District Court on 20th October next.