Kildare man allegedly racially abuse couple, court hears

A MAN who allegedly racially abused a couple and also threw a keg at one party was sent forward to appear at Naas Circuit Court last week.

Charlie Kearney (22) of Connagh Road, Kildare town was in Naas District Court last week (4 June) for a book of evidence and a circuit court date.

Noting the primary charge of the three before him was the very rarely used Prohibition of Incitement of Hatred Act 1989, Judge Desmond Zaidan asked Sergeant Mary Meade to outline the facts for the court.

“On 14 July a female and her partner were in Cunningham’s Bar in Kildare town and when they left around 11pm they were racially abused by the defendant,” said the sergeant.

“What is it that he allegedly said?” asked the judge.

“’You black c*nts … go back to your own country’,” quoted Sgt Meade.

“The partner got vexed, there then was an altercation and Charlie Kearney picked up an alcohol keg and threw it at him.

“Then the injured party got into his car and drove around looking for him, and when he saw Charlie Kennedy he drove at him, damaging his car when he glanced off a wall,” said Sgt Meade.

“Counter charges?” asked Judge Zaidan after hearing the full story.

"Still ongoing, and they have yet to be brought before the courts,” explained Kildare town solicitor Seamus Boyle who is acting for the alleged injured party.

“You’ll be the first individual to be charged under Section 2 of the Prohibition of Incitement of Hatred Act,” said the judge to Mr Kearney.

“It’s unusual for the DPP to bring this charge, which is usually used when motivating others, but not on an individual, so it may be difficult to bring this charge because of this,” mused the judge.

“But this is still a serious charge,” he added.

After the formal handover of the Book of Evidence the judge gave Kearney his alibi warning, confirmed his fitness to stand trial, and sent him across the atrium to the present sittings of Naas Circuit Court, which began on 3 June.