Man charged with serious Ballagh assault released on bail
The accused man was remanded on bail to next month’s sitting of Ballaghaderreen District Court on February 13. Pic: iStock
A Ukrainian man charged with an assault causing serious harm in the early hours of New Year’s Day, which resulted in the death of a man in Ballaghaderreen, has been released on bail.
Yevhen Shutko (46), with an address at Loughglynn, Co Roscommon, previously appeared before Judge James Faughnan at a special sitting of Roscommon District Court on Sunday, where he was remanded in custody.
He reappeared before Judge Faughnan at Ballaghaderreen District Court this afternoon (Friday) where independent surety and bail money amounting to €3,000 in total were furnished to the court. With no further charges forthcoming from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), he released Mr Shutko on bail.
The court previously heard that Mr Shutko was claiming self-defence when charged with the alleged assault on Jordon Nevin, a man in his 30s, in Ballaghaderreen in the early hours of New Year’s Day.
His reply when charged on Saturday night by Garda Brendan McGrath was “It was definitely not intentional, I was defending myself”.
Following the alleged assault, Mr Nevin was taken to Sligo University Hospital before being transferred to Beaumont Hospital where he later died.
The court heard that further charges may be forthcoming. Sergeant Mark Mahon, for the state, informed the court that he hopes to have DPP directions in due course but the charge “for the moment” is one of section 4 assault causing serious harm. However, he added, the state is still objecting to bail.
“I said I would grant bail. He was remanded in custody with an abundance of caution. The DPP were appraised of that man having died and, a week later, DPP directions are still not forthcoming,” said Judge Faughnan.
He noted that Mr Shutko had surrendered his passport, as well as his birth certificate to ensure he could not apply for any replacement travel documentation.
Furthermore, he lodged €1,500 cash for his bail, with his brother paying a further €1,500 independent surety and undertaking to ensure Mr Shutko would show up for court.
The accused man was remanded on bail to next month’s sitting of Ballaghaderreen District Court on February 13.
*Published under the court reporting scheme
