Man charged in connection with serious assault in Ballaghaderreen
The man appeared before Roscommon District Court this morning. Pic: iStock
A 46-year-old Ukrainian man appeared before a special sitting of Roscommon District Court this morning, Sunday, charged in connection with a serious assault in Ballaghaderreen in the early hours of New Years Day.
Gardaí confirmed earlier this morning that another man, aged in his 30s, who was involved in the alleged altercation on Barrack Street, had since passed away from critical injuries at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.
The Ukrainian national, who has a County Roscommon address, was charged under Section 4 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Persons Act 1997, assault causing serious harm.
This morning, Roscommon court was informed that the State was awaiting further directions from the DPP and that more charges could follow given that another man had passed away.
Garda Brendan McGrath told the court he arrested the Ukrainian man at Castlerea Garda Station on January 3rd and charged him at 9.51 p.m..
Giving evidence of arrest, charge and caution, Garda McGrath said that in reply to the charge, the defendant said: “It definitely was not intentionally…it wasn’t reckless…I was defending myself."
The Garda said there would be an objection to bail given the seriousness of the charges and that the man would pose a “significant flight risk”.
The court was told that the defendant was in the country for approximately 20 months and added there were a number of independent witnesses who had yet to make statements.
Refusing a bail application request by Ms Miller on the grounds outlined by Garda McGrath, Judge James Faughnan remanded the defendant in custody to appear before Ballaghaderreen District Court on Friday, January 9th.
