UPDATE: Case involving man who denies assaulting Kildare county councillor sent forward for trial

A Newbridge resident who denies ever assaulting a Kildare county councillor has had his case sent forward for trial.

Last year, Naas District Court was told that Michael Kane, also known as Michael Turner, with an address listed as 12 Dunbyrne Court, Whitewater Apartments in Newbridge, allegedly assaulted Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender.

Gardaí told Judge Desmond Zaidan that the incident involving the 30-year-old accused and Cllr Pender took place just outside town’s garda station on April 4, 2022, at around 3.15am.

On the latest court date — Thursday, May 18 — his solicitor, Tim Kennelly, reiterated that his client 'does not accept the allegations put forward by the State,' after a book of evidence was served on Mr Kane.

Judge Zaidan sent the case involving the defendant forward to the next sittings of Naas Circuit Criminal Court, which will take place on June 20, and remanded him on continuing bail until this date.