Assault-accused given permission by court to return to live in Longford town

Martin Grundza, who stands charged with assault causing harm, has been allowed by Longford District Court to return to live in Longford town.

Solicitor for the accused Diarmuid Quinn clarified for the court that the bail currently in place “was in relation to Garda Carty’s matter” which was the assault charge.

The alleged offence occurred on January 28 of this year in Chapel Lane, Longford town.

Grundza was subsequently charged and released on bail, subject to a number of conditions, including the requirement that he stay out of Longford town.

Grundza told the October 20 sitting of the court that he was making the application to vary his bail conditions as he wanted to move back into his mother’s house, claiming he was being made homeless from his current residence in Ballinasloe, County Galway.

He alleged at the time that measures were being taken to “force” him out of his accommodation, including the water and electricity being turned off for two months.

The case had been adjourned to the following week - the October 27 hearing - as Longford Gardaí were not in a position at the time to outline their objection to Grundza’s bail variation request.

During the October 27 hearing, Court Sergeant Mark Mahon said Gardaí were not objecting to the bail request, telling the court, “In circumstances where it is subject to the withdrawal of (legal aid) services, Gardai are willing to vary the bail to allow him to return to Longford.”

Judge Bernadette Owens consented to the request and permitted Grundza to reside at 47 Lana Aoibhinn, St Michael’s Road in Longford town.

He must sign on at Longford Garda Station twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 9am and 9pm and must also abide by a curfew.

The court heard that as part of his bail, Grundza must also stay away from Chapel Lane in Longford town.

Grundza was remanded on continuing bail with the instruction that he appear again before the court again on January 5.

Following this, Judge Owens sought an update from Sgt Mahon in relation to Grundza’s other charges, unrelated to the assault.

He currently faces three charges arising from November 24 2025 at Lana Aoibhinn where he is alleged to: “have used or engaged in threatening, abusive or insulting words/behaviour”; being present in a public place while intoxicated; and to wilfully obstructing Garda Keith Dunleavy who was carrying out his duties at the time.

Gundza also faces two charges of alleged drug possession and two for sale and supply arising from November 19, 2024 at 47 Lana Aoibhinn in Longford town.

There are a further two charges pertaining to August 2, 2024 at Killashee Street in Longford in which Grundza is accused of dangerous driving and driving with a quantity of drug in his system.

Solicitor Diarmuid Quinn told the court that the cases were affected by the withdrawal of legal aid services resulting from the ongoing solicitor’s strike and requested they be scheduled for a later date.

Judge Owens listed the matters for January 5.