Alleged assault charges against three Mayo men upgraded at court sitting

THREE Castlebar men had their assault charges upgraded to assault causing serious harm at Castlebar District Court.

Paul Dowding (24), Frenchhill, Castlebar, Davitt Neary (23), Shanvalley, Breaffy Woods, Castlebar, and Rhys Neary (18), also of Shanvalley, Breaffy Woods, Castlebar, had all previously faced charges of alleged assault causing harm arising from an incident outside a pub in the early hours of Saturday, August 23, at Tucker Street, Castlebar.

The State withdrew the initial charge of assault causing harm and violent disorder arising from the incident and Judge Michael Connellan was informed that their charges were being upgraded to assault causing serious harm.

A fourth man, Oran Groarke (23), Ballynew, Turlough Road, Castlebar, faces a charge of violent disorder arising from the same incident.

Detective Garda John Flannery told Judge Connellan he arrested Dowding at Castlebar Courthouse at 10.19 a.m. on July 1.

He said he charged Dowding as set out on the charge sheet, cautioned him, and Dowding made no reply. He handed him a true copy of the charge sheet.

There was no objection to bail. Dowding was remanded on continuing bail to July 15 for service of the book of evidence. There was no objection to the extension of time.

Judge Connellan said the case would return to court then to see how matters progressed regarding solicitors and their industrial action.

Detective Garda Róisín Loftus told the court she arrested Davitt Neary and Rhys Neary at The Mall, Castlebar, last Wednesday.

She said she charged both men as set out on their charge sheets, cautioned them, and both made no reply. She handed each a true copy of the charge sheet.

There was no objection to extending bail for either man. Both men were remanded to July 15 for service of the book of evidence, with no objection to the extension of time.

Court presenter Sergeant Conor McShane applied for Groarke to be remanded to July 15 for service of the book of evidence.

Judge Connellan asked whether an extension of time was being sought, and Sergeant McShane confirmed it was. There was no objection.

All four men will appear before Castlebar District Court again on July 15.

None of the defendants were legally represented, amid the ongoing dispute between solicitors and the Department of Justice over legal aid fees.

Judge Connellan said the court would monitor how matters progressed regarding solicitors' availability.

* Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.