Judge refuses jurisdiction over alleged assaults on woman

A judge refused jurisdiction after hearing details of alleged assaults on a woman in Laois. 

Judge Andrew Cody took the decision after hearing details of three allegations against a man at Portlaoise District Court. 

Kevin Moylan, 29, of 46 College View, Mountmellick is accused of assault causing harm at  Millbrook Road, Portlaoise on August 1, 2022. He is accused of the same offence at O’Loughlin’s Hotel, Main Street, Portlaoise on February 5, 2022 and on a date unknown between February 25 and March 25, 2022 at his address. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant is accused of punching a woman numerous times in a hotel room in Portlaoise causing bruising to her lip on February 5. 

On a date between February 25 and March 25,  he allegedly choked her and punched her in the chest, said Sgt Kirby.

On August 1 it is alleged that he “punched her numerous times, biting her on the lip causing it to swell and bleed”, he told the court. 

Judge Andrew Cody said he would not hear the case in the District Court. 

“I am not accepting jurisdiction. Punching a woman like that in the face repeatedly,” he said before adjourning the case to a later date.