Kilkenny Court: Bail granted in assault case

A man charged with two counts of assault causing harm has been granted bail by Kilkenny District Court, despite garda objections.

John Nevin, 21 Grove Park, Mountmellick, Co Laois, is charged with assaulting two men on different occasions, one a childhood friend and the other his brother in law.

The court heard that Mr Nevin had been arrested on July 30 and brought to Portlaoise Garda Station where he was charged. He made no reply after caution.

A garda witness set out the charges against Mr Nevin, in court. He said it will be alleged that on June 17 last Mr Nevin went into a steam room at a leisure centre in Portlaoise. There he met a second man.

The garda said Mr Nevin became angry over a disagreement they had as children and demanded the other man leave.

It will be alleged that when the man didn’t leave the steam room Mr Nevin punched him and the injured man told gardaí he believed his ear had been cut with a blade.

The second charge arose out of an alleged incident on July 14 last.

The garda said a man was driving with his daughter on Connolly Street in Mount Mellick when he saw Mr Nevin, who is his brother in law, flag him down.

When he stopped his car it is alleged Mr Nevin attacked him and he was left with four puncture wounds to his head and shoulders.

The garda objected to bail being granted to Mr Nevin on several grounds, including the seriousness of the charges.

Ross Pratt-O’Brien, defending Mr Nevin, said his client would be willing to abide by conditions if granted bail.

His client was supported in court by his partner and his parents, the barrister added. Mr Nevin is making ‘a serious attempt’ to come off drugs and is living with his family, the court was told.

Judge Susan Fay said she had listened very carefully to the garda objections, however she had decided to grant bail to Mr Nevin.

Bail was granted on condition he agree to appear in court on every remand date, not commit any offence, reside at his home address and notify gardaí if that changes.

Mr Nevin must also sign on daily at a garda station, observe a curfew between 6pm and 9am, be available at his home address between those hours if a garda calls, and must be available via mobile phone at all times.

The defendant was also ordered to have no contact, in any way, with the alleged injured parties or any prosecution witnesses.

These conditions are to be observed unless Mr Nevin enters a treatment centre, in which case investigating gardaí must be notified.

He was remanded on bail to a court sitting on September 14.

Legal aid was granted.