Man assaulted in Laois last month remains in hospital
The assault occurred a month ago in Portlaoise
A court was told a man who was assaulted in Portlaoise in June remains in hospital with serious injuries.
The details were disclosed during a bail application for Jake Moore (20) of 10 Colliers Wood, Portlaoise.
He is accused of producing a walking stick at Hynds Square, Portlaoise on June 18, 2024. He is also accused of stealing two sandwiches valued at €4.50 from Dealz, Laois Shopping Centre on July 22, 2024 and denting the rear passenger door of a Nissan Quasqai at Shaws, Kylekiproe, Portlaoise on October 24, 2023.
Detective Garda Doreen O’Connor objected to bail for the defendant at a sitting of Portlaoise District Court.
She said the objection was based on the seriousness of the charges and her belief that he would not adhere to bail conditions.
She said a man was seriously assaulted in Portlaoise on June 18. She said the injured man and the defendant had spotted another man in Hynds Square and gone to get weapons before they returned in a car containing six individuals. She said the defendant admitted striking this man a number of times with a walking stick. She said the defendant had also admitted he was reliant on cannabis on a daily basis.
Det O’Connor said the defendant and the injured man “were on the same side” and both had an issue with the man they saw in Hynds Square.
“The injured man is in hospital since that incident. He was very badly assaulted with the weapon he brought,” she said.
Det O’Connor said she had visited the man in hospital who told her he didn’t want to speak with any of his friends.
Solicitor Philip Meagher said his client has an address to stay at and was signing on daily. He said he was obeying a curfew.
Judge Andrew Cody asked what time the incident in Hynds Square had occurred at.
Det O’Connor said it had happened at 7.30pm and the defendant was supposed to be obeying a curfew between 7pm and 7am.
Judge Cody said that put the alleged offence outside the curfew time. He said the defendant has a presumption of innocence but he noted the man had made admissions.
“These are serious offences. A gent is still in hospital a month later,” said Judge Cody.
“This offence, for which he made admissions, occurred outside the curfew,” he added.
He said taking all matters into account he was refusing bail. He remanded the defendant in custody to appear again via video link at Tullamore District Court on August 1.