Kildare man charged with assaulting father

A JUDGE overruled the director of public prosecutions last week in the case of a man charged with assaulting his father, even as the defendant himself appeared in court with an unrelated black eye. The man, who can’t be named to protect the identity of the injured party, appeared in Naas District Court by videolink from custody charged with the assault at an address in central Kildare on 19 September.

The court was told the defendant was first remanded at an appearance just three days after the alleged assault occurred.

Sergeant Dave Hanrahan told the court that the DPP had ruled ‘summary disposal’, that is, the case was to be dealt with in the district court, before outlining the allegations.

“It’s alleged that Mr [named individual] hit his dad, and investigating gardaí noticed multiple injuries – a black eye, split lip, lacerations and bruising,” the sergeant said.

“Ah yes,” remembered Judge Desmond Zaidan. “When his father came before me last month for his protection order, I noticed the visible injuries. But no broken bones?” he checked.

“No, judge,” confirmed the sergeant.

“It’s alleged that the defendant attacked him in his [the father’s] home,” said the sergeant. “He had a deep laceration on his left hand, but we don’t know how it was caused. He had been staying in his father’s house.” 

However, the judge decided to overrule the DPP. “I’m going to refuse jurisdiction,” he said. “This is his third remand on consent. He was first up on 22 September, put back to 25 September when he was remanded in custody.

“On 9 October, he was remanded in custody until today, and now he is remanded in custody for another 14 days until 6 November, for a book of evidence and DPP consent,” said the judge, before addressing the defendant on screen.

“What happened your eye?” he asked.

“I got in a fight in prison,” said the man.

“When you’re on 23 hours lockdown with 300 other people, it’s inevitable,” he added.