Man (33) accused of punching teenager in the face
A BALLYFERMOT man was living in homeless accommodation in the same hotel as a teenager when he called to the boy’s room and punched him in the face, it is alleged.
The 33-year-old is accused of going to the boy’s room in the early hours of the morning and attacking him, leaving him with bruising to his face.
Blanchardstown District Court
The case against him was adjourned when he appeared in Blanchardstown District Court.
The man is charged with assault causing harm to the boy at the Maldron Hotel, Clondalkin on a date in August, 2017.
Garda Sergeant Maria Callaghan told Judge David McHugh the Director of Public Prosecutions was consenting to the case being dealt with in the district court subject to the judge considering the issue of jurisdiction.
Outlining the alleged facts of the case, she said the accused and the alleged injured party were living in homeless accommodation in the hotel on the date of the incident.
The alleged victim was a juvenile at the time and it was alleged the accused went into the room where he was staying at 1am and punched him in the face.
This caused bruising and superficial injuries, Sgt Callaghan said.
Judge McHugh read a medical report on the alleged victim’s injuries which was submitted to the court. Noting that they were “soft tissue” injuries he accepted jurisdiction, allowing the case to remain in the district court, instead of being sent for trial to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, which has greater potential sentencing powers on conviction.
The judge ordered disclosure of prosecution statements to the defence and adjourned the case to January 7, for the accused to decide how he intends to plead.
The man was not required to speak during the brief hearing and has not yet entered a plea to the charge, which is under Section 3 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.
He was remanded on continuing bail.
The judge granted free legal aid after his solicitor Matthew Kenny submitted a statement of the accused’s financial means to the court and said the man was unemployed and in receipt of a family payment on social welfare.
