Alleged racist attack took place in Newbridge, County Kildare
ACCUSATIONS
An alleged racist assault took place in Newbridge on a black taxi driver.
Gardaí relayed the allegation to Judge Desmond Zaidan at Naas District Court on Thursday, January 19.
It was alleged that Niall Casey, 34, with an address given as 3126 Fenview Heights, Milltown, and Gareth Owens, 30, with an address listed as 3128 Fenview Heights, Milltown, attempted to grab the driver’s phone and wallet on May 15 last.
According to gardaí, this allegedly led to a physical altercation on the street, in which the driver was allegedly kicked and punched, which resulted in his glasses breaking.
A garda officer also told Judge Zaidan that the driver was allegedly called 'a black b**tard' and a 'n****r' during the altercation.
It was further claimed that nearby members of the public came to the driver’s aid, and that the driver later had to attend Naas General Hospital as a result of his alleged injuries, the court was told.
BAIL
The pair were granted bail until the case returns to court on March 7 for election.
Gardaí imposed strict bail conditions on the duo until the case resumes: both men must reside at the address on the charge sheet and notify gardaí of any change of address within 24 hours, they must sign on at their local garda station twice daily, they must have no direct or indirect contact with any State witnesses in the case (as well as the alleged injured party), they must abide by a curfew of 10pm to 6am, they must be of sober habits, and they must provide a contact number to gardaí and be contactable at all times.
The two accused have also been ordered to stay out of Newbridge, although an exception was made for Mr Owens, who has to collect his social welfare payments from Newbridge.