Woman seeks help from local pub after alleged assault
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A MAN accused of an assault where the injured party had to run to a nearby pub for help is to face trial in Naas Circuit Court.
Wayne Archibold (43), with an address at the Square in Ballitore was appearing this week (13 October) in Athy District Court for the formal reception of his book of evidence following the alleged assault causing harm at the above address on 15 March 2025.
He is also charged with €200 worth of criminal damage to the woman’s phone during the assault, and on an unrelated summons for drugs possession of both cocaine and cannabis.
Judge Desmond Zaidan asked Sergeant Ruth Coleman to outline the main offence.
“Judge, on the day in question they had returned from a wedding, and a verbal argument began,” she started.
“It is alleged he pulled her by the hair, and held her to a heater causing burns,” said Sgt Coleman.
“How did she escape?” asked the judge.
“She went to a local pub and sought help from the public,” said the sergeant.
After Court Garda Paul Connolly went through the formalities from the witness box and handed the state’s book of evidence over to defending solicitor Joe Coonan, Judge Zaidan then sent Archibold forward to face trial at the present sittings of Naas Circuit Court which began on 6 October.
Then, because of the ongoing strike among solicitors, the judge the assigned legal aid to the defendant, rather than a specific solicitor or firm at this stage.
“He can then pick his own solicitor and barrister,” explained the judge.
“This will go for trial, and will not be on an assigned plea,” said Mr Coonan, indicating his client’s continued position of not guilty.
After the judge then gave Mr Archibold the alibi warning, he set the defendant’s bail bond at €1,000, sending him forward to the circuit court’s call-over list.
