A man has been brought to court, under suspicion of assaulting a woman he was reportedly in a volatile relationship with, at a notable heritage site. The man, in his 30s, stood before Judge Ciaran Liddy during a specialty convened session at the Letterkenny District Court in County Donegal on Tuesday.
The man, who resides on the Inishowen Peninsula, faces a series of alleged offences said to have occurred on the night of March 31st, at the historical An Grianán of Aileach fort, Carrowreagh, Burnfoot. In an effort to safeguard the purported victim, the man’s name is withheld.
The charges levelled against him entail five separate accusations; these include causing physical harm to the woman (Section 3 assault), reckless driving, declining to provide a sample, engaging in menacing, offensive or insulting behaviour to incite a violation of peace, and violation of a Protection Order.
Garda Sergeant Jim Collins conveyed that An Garda Síochána opposes the man’s release on bail. Detective Garda Jason Conroy detailed the arrest, charge and cautioning of the defendant. Det Conroy further emphasized that a passer-by camping in the vicinity had witnessed and reported the incident between the couple.
This bystander apparently dialled emergency services and stated that the defendant had intentionally directed his car towards the woman, impacting her. The witness affirmed the defendant essentially attacked her afterwards by tugging her hair and seemingly kicking her. He is also charged with repeatedly hitting the woman’s face.
Frank Dorrian, the defendant’s solicitor, shared that the couple had been entwined in a tempestuous relationship that had recently escalated. He mentioned that the two had been living together and both had presented diverse allegations to the police during their cohabitation.
He stated they had been consuming alcohol on that day and had driven to An Grianán of Aileach for ostensibly amorous reasons. Sergeant Collins had inquired from the woman on her feelings about the defendant being offered bail.
She expressed her discomfort around him, stating she didn’t desire his presence any longer either around her or at her dwelling. When Sgt Collins inquired if she would be comfortable with the suspect being out on bail but ordered to keep distance from her, she agreed that would be a more favourable option.
Judge Liddy, taking into account the woman’s sentiment, offered the accused conditional bail. The conditions being the accused shall not meddle with the case witnesses and must remain clear of the area where the claimant both lives and works in.