Kildare court: Case struck out for Newbridge man

A case involving a man accused of assault and engaging in abusive and threatening behaviour inside a pharmacy in Newbridge was struck out.

The accusations, which were detailed to those present in Naas District Court on Thursday, July 13 last, related to Joshua Connolly, with an address listed as 3 Lakeside Crescent in Newbridge.

It was alleged by gardaí that the 29-year-old had committed the offences at the Janet Dillon Pharmacy in Newbridge on November 23, 2021.

The case was in for hearing, but gardaí asked Judge Desmond Zaidan to adjourn the case to a new date to allow time for the alleged injured party to come to court.

Defending barrister Aisling Murphy took issue with their absence, adding: "The State had a lot of witnesses for this case, yet none of them are here today."

She further claimed to Judge Zaidan that the injured party 'has never shown up to court' any time the case was called.

In addition, Ms Murphy said that the case had previously been before the court for hearing on three sperate occasions.

Citing these reasons, she applied for a strike-out.

Gardaí emphasised to the judge that they wished to see the case resume, but Ms Murphy once more pointed out the lack of witnesses and the previous delays.

After listenting to both sides, Judge Zaidan found himself in favour of Ms Murphy, and struck out the case against Mr Connolly without prejudice.