Kerry man assaults roommate over Wi-Fi dispute
The KerrymanA man punched his roommate in a row over Wi-Fi, permanently damaging his teeth, Tralee District Court has heard.
Keelan McCarthy (25) of 18 Oakfield Court, Tralee represented himself having been charged with assault causing harm arising out of the incident.
The court was called that gardaí were called to Oakfield Court on March 20, 2024 in relation to an alleged assault.
The garda noted Mr Coffey had “a cut below his left eye and a couple of chipped teeth” upon his arrival and read Mr McCarthy’s statement to the courtroom.
In it, Mr McCarthy said he was asleep in his bedroom when he heard a loud, sustained banging at his door. He said he opened it to find his roommate Stephen Coffey “in an increasingly agitated state”.
Mr McCarthy’s alleged his roommate “went into a rage” and stepped into his room.
“I did punch him to defend myself,” the statement read.
The roommates then went to the kitchen, the court heard.
“I asked if he was Ok, if there was anything I could do for him,” the statement continued.
The garda read an interview with Mr McCarthy, in which he said he gave “just one punch” to defend himself.
“I didn’t know what was waiting for me on the other side of the door,” he said.
“I didn’t really mean it to be that bad,” he said. “I don’t have any problem with Stephen, we have respect for each other.”
The State presented medical reports to the judge.
Witness Stephen Coffey, the injured party, took the stand.
He said he went to Mr McCarthy’s room because he believed the Wi-Fi was moved into his room. When Mr McCarthy opened the door and saw him, he tried to shut it.
“I instinctively put my own hand up,” said Mr Coffey.
He told the court Mr McCarthy “grabbed me by the scruff of the neck” and hit him in the eye, the teeth, the jaw and dragged him to the kitchen threatening him in front of housemates.
“All I wanted was the Wi-Fi,” said Mr Coffey.
The men had lived together for two years, the court heard.
Mr Coffey said the alleged assault necessitated numerous appointments to fix his cracked teeth, which were filed down and capped. He told the court the caps needed regular maintenance and he would eventually require prosthetics.
Mr McCarthy said he was ‘shocked’ by Mr Coffey’s testimony.
He adjourned the case for sentencing on January 14 and ordered a full Probation Report and Victim Impact Statement.
He told Mr McCarthy, who had no previous convictions, he could avail of a solicitor for the sentencing if desired.