Man accused of assaulting sister's ex allowed to visit Portarlington
He appeared before a sitting of Portlaoise District Court
A man who is accused of assaulting his sister’s ex partner has been granted permission to return to Portarlington.
Remi Hamisi (27) of 13 Flat 1, Castle Street, Carlow, is accused of assault causing harm at French Church Street, Portarlington, and obstruction at Waterfront Apartments, Portarlington, on May 23, 2026.
Solicitor Aonghus McCarthy asked Judge Andrew Gubbins to vary the man’s bail so that he could visit his family in Portarlington.
“Alleged offence is that he got in a scrap with his sister’s ex partner,” said Mr McCarthy. He said his client was born and raised in Portarlington but the bail conditions exclude him from the town.
Mr McCarthy said the alleged complainant had fled the jurisdiction. He asked that his client be allowed to visit his parents in Portarlington.
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said it would be alleged the injured party has recently been seen in Portarlington and he would have concern about the defendant visiting there.
The man’s sister Blessing Hamisi took to the stand. She said she was “shocked” to hear her ex partner was in Portarlington. She said her brother was standing up for her in relation to the assault charge. She denied the man was living in Portarlington.
“The allegation is your ex boyfriend was seriously assaulted by your brother,” said Sgt Kirby.
“That’s not how it happened,” the woman replied. She said the man doesn’t live in Portarlington.
Mr McCarthy said his client maintains his innocence and claims the incident was self defence. He said the injured party doesn’t live in Portarlington. He said his client was only looking to visit Portarlington.
Judge Andrew Gubbins said the evidence he had heard was from the man’s sister while the Garda evidence about the man being seen in Portarlington was hearsay.
“The complainant in this case now lives in the UK,” said Judge Gubbins. He said he would ease the bail conditions to allow the man into Portarlington for the purpose of visiting his family. He remanded the defendant on bail and adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on December 15 for hearing.