Hardy Buck to fight assault charge

Martin Maloney, a 30-year-old actor from Swinford, County Mayo, appeared at Dublin District Court to contest assault charges arising from an incident at a public house in October 2012. Maloney is accused of two counts of assault causing harm to two security staff members during an altercation over a toilet queuing system. One assault charge was struck out as statute barred. Judge Patricia McNamara declined to send the remaining charges to Circuit Court, accepting jurisdiction at district court level. Maloney was remanded on continuing bail. The judge determined he remains presumed innocent. A trial date is to be set at a further mention next week. The defence indicated the case will be contested, with evidence expected to include up to eight prosecution witnesses and significant CCTV footage, with trial anticipated to last a full day.