A man awaiting a trial date in the Circuit Court for his part in an alleged bottle assault was told he could have just four nights off between now and his next court date after Gardaí objected to his application to set aside his curfew.
Michael Francis (19 ) was in court this week (July 24 ) to see if the book of the State’s evidence in relation to his charge of assault causing harm was ready.
It is alleged Francis was one of a number involved in a late-night brawl in Bonavalley on January 9, 2012 in which a man received a serious eye injury, a chipped tooth, and a slashed ear in the assault with a bottle.
However, when he learned his book of evidence would not be completed until at least September he instructed his solicitor, Mr Padraig Quinn, to seek a relaxation on a bail condition, specifically his 10pm-7am curfew.
“There are no pressing needs in terms of employment,” explained Mr Quinn. “He’d just like to be able to go out a few nights.”
“January 19 at 2am? He wasn’t saying the Rosary, Mr Quinn,” said Judge Seamus Hughes noting the time of the alleged assault.
“It sounds like a rampage on the footpath, hitting everyone in sight,” said the judge.
At this point Inspector Aidan Minnock for the State said he was “objecting strongly” to the removal of Francis’ curfew, and gave a number of reasons which cannot be reported prior to a trial.
Mr Quinn argued his client had a family christening and a 21st party he wished to attend over the summer to which the judge then said: “OK then. Pick four [dates]”.
After some consultation Mr Quinn handed in a list of dates up to September 18 for which his client would like to have his curfew lifted, and these were ubsequently approved.
