Man pleads not guilty to affray and assaulting man by biting his nose
A MAN has pleaded not guilty to affray and assaulting a man by biting his nose in a fight that allegedly started when a bicycle was thrown into a car windscreen.
Patrick Sherlock, a passenger in the car, allegedly bit Keith Ward, who is accused of striking Mr Sherlock over the head with an implement in the dispute.
Blanchardstown District Court
Mr Sherlock has denied his charges, while Mr Ward’s defence sought an adjournment to consider a plea in his case.
Mr Sherlock, aged 38 with an address at Kilmahuddrick Walk, Clondalkin and 33-year-old Mr Ward, from Moorefield Avenue, Clondalkin, are both charged with affray and assault causing harm to each other.
Mr Ward is also charged with causing criminal damage to the car windscreen.
The cases were back before Blanchardstown District Court for Judge David McHugh to consider jurisdiction.
The court heard the incident happened when Mr Ward was walking with a bicycle and Mr Sherlock was in a blue Mini travelling in the same direction on the afternoon in question.
It was alleged Mr Ward threw his bike at the car, smashing the windscreen – he would say because it turned in his direction, while Mr Sherlock would say this was unprovoked.
Mr Sherlock exited the car and there was a physical altercation in the middle of the road in which Mr Ward allegedly struck him to the head with an object, causing a deep cut to his forehead.
The laceration bled a “substantial amount of blood.”
It was alleged Mr Sherlock then bit Mr Ward on the nose and the two ended up on the road, punching each other.
The court heard the fight was allegedly provoked by an argument over a social media post.
Mr Ward was treated in hospital and required a number of stitches to his nose, but Mr Sherlock did not attend hospital, the court heard.
Judge McHugh accepted jurisdiction in both cases.
Mr Sherlock’s solicitor Simon Fleming said his client was seeking a hearing date.
The parties were well known to each other, he said.
The judge adjourned that case to May 5, 2021, for hearing. Mr Ward’s solicitor Kelly Breen sought more time to go through the prosecution statements.
That case was adjourned to January 7, for Mr Ward to decide on a plea.
Legal aid was previously granted after applications were made by the defence solicitors and the court heard both accused were unemployed.
