A 51-year-old man has been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with assault causing harm to Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae in Dublin.
Anthony Foley, of Rosary Road, Dublin 8, appeared before Dublin District Court in connection with the alleged incident on Cork Street on Wednesday.
Garda Paul Nolan, of the Serious Crime Unit, gave evidence of Mr Foley’s arrest, charge and caution. The court heard that he made no reply when the charge was put to him.
Garda Nolan said Mr Healy-Rae had been driving along Cork Street when a man approached the driver’s side window before allegedly striking him in the face.
The court heard that the Independent TD suffered a laceration to his upper lip, which required seven stitches. Garda Nolan said Mr Healy-Rae is also due to undergo further assessment by a dentist.
The incident was captured on CCTV, the court heard.
Garda Nolan said gardaí observed the accused walking his dog in the same area the following day and subsequently arrested him.
He told the court that Mr Foley was wearing clothing similar to that worn by the person seen in the CCTV footage. He also said the harness on the accused’s dog appeared to match the harness seen in the footage.
Garda Nolan objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the alleged offence. He also told the court he believed there may have been a political motive behind the incident.
The garda claimed audio from the CCTV had captured the alleged assailant shouting abuse at Mr Healy-Rae, although the court was later shown footage without audio.
Defending solicitor Richard Young said his client denied being the man shown in the CCTV footage.
He said Mr Foley had also denied owning a jacket similar to the one seen in the footage and disputed the identification of the dog and harness. Mr Young said the harness had been purchased locally and that other people in the area could have the same model.
The solicitor questioned the State’s objection to bail, arguing that the case largely hinged on identification.
He said there had been no identification parade and no formal identification by a member of An Garda Síochána who had viewed the CCTV and recognised Mr Foley.
Mr Young said his client was willing to provide an address, sign on at his local garda station and provide an assurance to the court. He also offered a sum of between €500 and €1,000.
The court was shown CCTV footage of the incident before the hearing was adjourned briefly while Judge Karen Dowling considered the submissions.
Garda Nolan said the State’s case carried “far more weight” than suggested by the defence.
Judge Dowling said the facts of the case would be dealt with at a later stage. She said the court had carefully considered both the defence submissions and the gardaí’s objections before refusing bail.
Mr Foley was remanded in custody at Cloverhill Prison and is due to appear before the court again next Tuesday.
