A man in his 30s, charged with violating a safety order and assaulting a woman in his home, has been granted bail by Falcarragh District Court. Due to legal restrictions protecting the alleged victim’s identity, the man’s name cannot be published.
Sergeant Jim Collins presented evidence of the man’s arrest, related charges, and caution to the court, stating the State’s objection to bail.
The charges include breaching a safety order issued in June 2024, causing the applicant to fear for her safety, under section 33 (1) of the Domestic Violence Act, 2018.
He is also charged with assaulting the woman, causing her harm, in violation of section 3 (1) and 3 (2) of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997, as amended by section 20 of the Criminal Justice Act (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2023.
The prosecution detailed the alleged assault, stating the man grabbed the woman’s throat, pushed her into a kitchen, threw her against a table, and struck her face with significant force.
Sergeant Collins expressed concerns that the accused might interfere with potential witnesses.
The court was informed that the man had previously breached bail conditions by contacting the alleged victim and had a prior conviction from last year for violating a court order.
Sergeant Collins also indicated that the man had not been reporting to a Garda station as required by his bail conditions since October.
“He is a man who doesn’t abide by bail conditions,” Sergeant Collins reiterated.
Ms. Alison Parke, representing the accused, stated her client claimed ignorance of the bail conditions applicable to these specific charges. Sergeant Collins countered that individuals are responsible for knowing and adhering to their bail terms.
Ms. Parke argued that her client would contend he was “in a relationship with the injured party, rightly or wrongly” and “deny that this assault happened.”
The alleged victim testified, stating the situation was “causing alarm” and declared, “It is now at the point where I fear for my life and my safety.”
The woman testified she was “in shock and traumatised.”
During questioning by Ms. Parke, the woman denied visiting the man’s home daily and denied the man waited for her outside a pub on the night in question.
Judge Ciaran Liddy clarified his role was not to determine guilt or innocence at this stage.
“Whether he is guilty or not is not my role today,” Judge Liddy emphasized.
He noted confusion regarding the man’s understanding of his bail obligations, stating the primary concern was preventing interference with the alleged victim.
Judge Liddy affirmed the accused man’s presumption of innocence.
Bail was granted under specific conditions: adherence to the existing safety order, no contact with the alleged victim except for child access arrangements, reporting to a Garda station three times weekly, and providing a reachable 24/7 phone number.
Judge Liddy emphasized that the man must receive “clear instructions that he is required to comply fully” with the bail conditions.
Man who assaulted woman at his home is granted bail was last modified: June 21st, 2025 by
