TWO MEN HAVE been charged after an off-duty garda was “pursued” and suffered serious facial injuries and a concussion when he was recognised in Dublin city centre.
Taylor Ryan (22) from Wicklow and 32-year-old Dubliner Daryl Waldron, who are of no fixed abode, were allegedly picked up on CCTV discussing how they assaulted the injured party and that he was “knocked out cold”.
The pair were charged with assault causing harm to the officer, based at Store Street station, in the early hours of June 21.
The two men appeared before Judge Gráinne Malone at Dublin District Court on Saturday.
Detective Garda William McCarthy and Detective Garda Niamh McCarthy gave evidence that they “made no reply” after they were arrested and charged on Friday.
The judge noted that 13 solicitors were contacted to represent the pair after they were detained for questioning at Pearse Street Garda station.
However, the two men had no legal representation during their interviews or in court.
That was due to the current industrial action, in which solicitors have withdrawn services in a dispute over reforms that will provide flat fees for District Court legal aid cases.
Judge Malone noted that, in the interest of fairness, the investigating detectives were not objecting to bail for the unrepresented defendants but were seeking conditions that the judge imposed.
Outlining the allegations, they told the court that the incident occurred at about 12.10 am, when the off-duty officer, based at Store Street station, was spotted in Westmoreland Street.
The court heard that the State’s case was that the officer was recognised by Ryan, who identified him as a Garda following an interaction three days earlier.
It was claimed that Ryan then struck and punched the officer, who was knocked down.
When the off-duty garda tried to get away, there was a “pursuit” during which it was alleged that Ryan “elbowed him in the face” and that Waldron screamed at him and also pushed and punched him several times.
Gardaí obtained video evidence, including audio recordings of the pair on Aston Quay talking about the incident, the judge heard.
It emerged during the bail hearing that the injured officer sought treatment after he suffered a fractured bone where his cheek meets his eye socket, along with a concussion. He also sustained lacerations and contusions to his face.
Judge Malone refused to retain jurisdiction over the case in the District Court, ruling that it should be sent to the Circuit Court, which has broader sentencing powers.
The two men were not required to give evidence but consented to the bail terms imposed.
They were ordered to have no contact with each other or with any witnesses in the case. They must also provide an address to gardaí within 48 hours, stay out of Dublin 1 and Dublin 2 areas, and abide by a curfew from 11 pm to 6 am.
The pair who have yet to enter a plea were ordered to appear again on July 29. A book of evidence has yet to be served on them.