Inspector Jarlath Folan said he was not prepared to accept a guilty plea to assault when Derek McKevitt of 139 Ashfield was charged with assault causing harm.
At Mullingar District Court, solicitor John Quinn said his client was offering a plea to the less serious offence, but this was not acceptable to the Garda Inspector.
The court heard that the injured party alleges that his eardrum was cracked when he was struck twice in the head by Mr McKevitt who used his fists in the offence which took place on June 28 this year.
Mr John Quinn offered the plea on the basis that the complaint seemed to be a soft tissue injury.
Judge Neilan accepted jurisdiction, subject to a decision by the DPP on whether the charge will be assault, or assault causing harm.
