Hardy Bucks star cleared of assault

Hardy Bucks star cleared of assault


HARDY Bucks star Martin Maloney was cleared of assault causing harm at Dublin District Court on Tuesday last.
The 30 year old, formerly of Bollingbrook Drive, Swinford and now living in Sweden with his wife and child, pleaded not guilty to the charge of assault causing harm at The Big Tree in Drumcondra on October 9, 2012.
It was alleged that while making a public appearance at the infamous Mayo haunt, Maloney  became involved in an altercation with security staff member Brian Smith over the queuing system at the toilets and the route back to the stage area where he was DJing.
The prosecution had alleged that Maloney grabbed Mr Smith in a headlock from behind and held him on the ground before punching him repeatedly.
It was also alleged the actor was being forcibly removed when he struck Mr O’Shaughnessy with a kick.
The judge found the actor not guilty after she viewed the CCTV evidence which contradicted the men’s evidence.
Mr Smith had alleged he had been at a balcony when he was grabbed from behind by the actor, put in a headlock and punched 20 to 30 times to his head.
In CCTV evidence Smith was shown in a face-to-face confrontation with the actor, before there was a scuffle and one punch could be seen thrown at the security man, the judge said.
Mr O’Shaughnessy claimed that the defendant was acting aggressively and had to be forcibly removed via a fire exit.
However, Judge Watkin noted from the CCTV evidence that Mr Maloney was not being restrained and was calm and silent at that point.
Maloney became famous for playing the role of Eddie Durkan in the hit mock documentary programme following the antics of five down on their luck young men.
The popular cult comedy started out as “webisodes” broadcast online but was later picked up by RTÉ and the cast also went on to star in the feature film titled ‘The Hardy Bucks Movie’ which released last year.