Man faces four charges over alleged assault on Letterkenny Gardaí
A MAN charged with assaulting two Gardaí at a Letterkenny public office has told the court the officers struck first.
Abdou Abouzid, formerly of 28 Hazlebrook Crescent, Long Lane Letterkenny, appeared before Letterkenny District Court on Monday, June 22, where a book of evidence was served on him in relation to an alleged attack at Donegal County Council Public Services Centre in Letterkenny on April 23.
Facing four charges in total, Abouzid was charged with assaulting and causing harm to Garda Lee Scanlon and Garda Daniel Murphy, as well as criminal damage to Garda equipment.
Abouzid said “That happened in accident,” when charged with assaulting Garda Lee Scanlon. Likewise when the charge of assaulting Garda Murphy was served on him, he said: “That happened in accident too, they attacked me first.”
Sergeant Jim Collins told the court the Director of Public Prosecutions decided it was a summary offence to be dealt with in the district court. He also produced photographs of the injuries sustained by the Gardaí involved.
Sergeant Collins said disclosure should be made by August 1 and that the case should be assigned to defence solicitor Rory O’Brien.
The case was adjourned until September 7, when it will be linked with a co-accused who will appear at that sitting.