Courts / Dublin / Report

Legal aid for man charged with assaulting garda after proof he didn't pay for holiday

Date
2014-05-02

Stage
Charge Or Pretrial

Primary locality
Skerries

County
Dublin

Summary

A 25‑year‑old man named Shane Power, who is unemployed, was charged with assaulting Garda Karl McManus on St Patrick's Day in Skerries and with unlawful possession of nine tablets of MDMA at Balbriggan Garda Station. He was also charged with intoxication and using threatening and abusive behaviour. Power could not attend an earlier court date because he was overseas on holiday. His girlfriend proved that she paid for a one‑week holiday to Tenerife, covering flights and half‑board accommodation at a total cost of €1,600, and presented documents to Judge Dermot Dempsey. The judge was satisfied with the evidence and granted Power free legal aid, remanding the case until 22 May. The decision was made after the judge had previously reserved legal aid for Power, who had argued that he could not afford legal fees while on holiday. The case remains pending as of the article's date.