Man (34) accused of attacking his mother and breaking her nose refused bail

Tom Tuite

A Co Offaly man accused of attacking his mother and breaking her nose with a headbutt has been refused bail.

Jamie Murphy, aged 34, appeared before Judge Michelle Finan at Dublin District Court on Saturday.

He “made no reply” when charged with assault causing harm to the woman at their home in Arden View, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, on Friday night, contrary to section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

The court also heard that he denies the allegation, but bail was refused and he was remanded in custody.

Garda Andrew Barron told a bail hearing that Tullamore gardaí received a report that the woman in her 50s had been initially "pushed to the ground and kicked" at around 8.50 pm by her son, the accused, before he fled the house.

Garda Barron said that they received a second call that the accused had returned to the property at about 10 pm, and "headbutted" his mother, causing her to suffer a broken nose and fled.

She was taken to the local hospital by ambulance, and the accused came back to the house and was arrested. He was taken to the garda station, detained, and denied the allegations when he was under interview.

Under cross-examination by defence solicitor Alan Dodd, the garda confirmed that the allegation of assault related to the second altercation when the man returned to the property.

The solicitor proposed that his client could reside at a different location.

The woman did not have to attend the hearing, and was in much pain and wanted to rest, said Garda Barron.

He also informed the judge that the woman had given a statement of complaint and that there was a second witness to the incident.

The complainant was in fear and did not want him to come back to the house, the court heard.

The garda also feared the accused would not turn up to answer bail.

The defence argued that some of the evidence against the accused was hearsay and that he would abide by conditions and reside in another county if released with conditions.

The accused did not address the court.

Judge Finan, noting the seriousness of the allegations and the evidence, denied Mr Murphy's bail application.

Legal aid was granted to Mr Murphy, who will face his next hearing on Wednesday at Tullamore District Court.