Fifth bench warrant for Kildare man who allegedly hit woman with frying pan
Photo for illustrative purposes only
A MAN who allegedly assaulted a woman with a frying pan after a ten-day drinking binge nearly five years ago had a fifth bench warrant issued in this case after he failed again to appear in court.
Martin Moore (63), with an address at The Moat, Ardscull, Athy, was due before Athy District Court to face a charge of assault causing harm (section 3) on an unnamed woman at a given address in the town on the night of 24 April 2021. Mr Moore had first appeared in court on 23 November 2022, was remanded then until 25 April 2023 – when he first failed to show up and the court issued its initial bench warrant.
He had a second bench warrant issued for him after he failed to show up at another appointed court appearance on 25 June 2024 and a third for failing to appear on 15 August. He actually made an appearance on 10 September 2024, and was remanded on continuing bail for a hearing on 28 January 2025, but he failed to keep this appointment as well, picking up his fourth bench warrant in the process.
“It is alleged this man had been on a drinking binge for ten days,” explained Sergeant Brian Jacob for the state on 25 April 2023.
“The victim was cooking when he came home; he took the pan, threw the contents to the floor and assaulted her with it, breaking her spectacles,” he alleged.
This week Sgt Jacob’s successor, Sergeant Dave Hanrahan, clarified that the only relationship between the defendant and the injured party was “they were just housemates”.
“And he threw the contents of the pan on the floor?” asked Judge Desmond Zaidan.
“Yes, judge, but he was intoxicated at the time,” confirmed the sergeant.
He then reminded the judge that Mr Moore “has had four bench warrants issued” (despite living less than seven kilometres from the courthouse), and so the judge obliged with a fifth court order for the man’s arrest.
