Mayo man charged with assaulting off-duty garda

A MAYO man who is accused of assaulting an off-duty gardaí will be accessed while in prison to see if he is fit to plead.

Eoghan Griffith of 5 Garryduff Drive, Castlebar is charged with assault causing harm to Detective Garda Leo Heaney in Castlebar while he was off duty in September 2023.

The defendant appeared before Achill District Court on foot of a bench warrant and is also charged with criminal damage and threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour arising from the same incident in 2023.

When he was brought before the court, Mr Griffith was handcuffed and accompanied by a number of gardaí and an application was made to remand him in custody.

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Solicitor Mr Thomas Walsh, who was representing Mr Griffith told Judge Fiona Lydon that he had tried to take instructions from his client but was unable to ascertain from him if he would be making a bail application or if he understood the question.

Judge Lydon agreed to remand Mr Griffith in custody and directed the preparation of a psychiatric report to determine if he is fit to plead.

In outlining the allegations against Mr Griffith for jurisdictional purposes, Court Presenter, Sergeant Conor McShane said that on September 19, 2023, Detective Garda Heaney was off-duty on the Newport Road in Castlebar when he observed an incident involving the defendant.

Sgt McShane said that when Det Garda Heaney went to intervene, it is alleged he was punched in the right eye by the defendant. He said it is alleged that Det Garda Heaney was left injured after the assault but has since made a full recovery and has no lasting effects.

A file, he said, was sent to the DPP who directed that the defendant would be charged with assault causing harm and for the case to be dealt with summarily in the district court.

Judge Lydon accepted jurisdiction and ordered that Mr Griffith receive the appropriate medical attention while in custody.

She remanded him in custody to appear before Castlebar District Court on February 4.