Man who assaulted female doctor in Portlaoise appears in court from prison

A man who was jailed for assaulting a female doctor near Portlaoise hospital appeared in court via video link. 

Dean Gray, 35, of No Fixed Abode, Ballymun, Dublin 9 appeared at Portlaoise District Court for an incident connected to the assault on the doctor in February near the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise. 

He was accused of trespass at a house on the Dublin Road in Portlaoise on February 17, 2023.  

Solicitor Philip Meagher said the offence of trespass was connected to the assault on the doctor which had been heard in the higher circuit court. 

“This is an element of an incident which has been dealt with in the circuit court,” he said. 

“Mr Gray received a sentence in respect of the primary offence, aggravated assault,” said Mr Meagher. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby agreed that it was connected to the assault which had occurred at night. 

“A lady doctor was assaulted. Then he went into the back of a house,” said Sgt Kirby. He said the man was seen “looking in a window” at the rear of the house with a shovel in his hand. 

Judge Andrew Cody said he would make no order as the matter had already been dealt with in the circuit court. 

The man had been sentenced to seven years in prison with the final year suspended for the assault on the doctor earlier this year.