Emma Hammond pleads not guilty to nightclub assault charge

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Emma Hammond has pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing serious harm to Natasha Mooney. The charge concerns an alleged assault at Dusk Nightclub in the Northside Shopping Centre on 18 March 2013. The proceedings were reported on 16 January 2015.

Tara Scott, who was with Emma Hammond that night, gave evidence on the third day of the trial. The report described Natasha Mooney as having lost sight in an eye after being glassed.

Tara Scott said she knew the families had been engaged in a feud for several years. She said Natasha Mooney approached her in the smoking area, told her to tell Emma Hammond to stop looking at her with a grin, and later said they would wait until Emma Hammond was outside.

Tara Scott said she went inside to tell Emma Hammond to get her coat and leave, but Natasha Mooney had already started running at Emma Hammond before she reached her. She said shattering glass scratched her face during the altercation and drink got in her eyes.

Under cross-examination by prosecuting counsel Gerardine Small, Tara Scott accepted that CCTV showed Natasha Mooney placing her glass on the bar, contradicting her account that Natasha Mooney threw it behind her towards Tara Scott.

Gerardine Small also challenged the omission of shattering glass from Tara Scott’s statement to gardaí. Tara Scott denied “rowing back” on her account, explaining that she had answered only the questions asked. She denied trying to help her friend but agreed her recollection was less than perfect.

Under re-examination by defending counsel Garnet Orange SC, Tara Scott said she had felt there would be trouble when Natasha Mooney arrived. The trial was continuing before Judge Desmond Hogan.