Wicklow man accused of causing severe injuries by biting ex-girlfriend refused bail
The Wicklow PeopleA Wicklow man who has been accused of biting his former girlfriend during an altercation at a premises earlier this month has been refused bail.
Dylan Forde (28), with an address at Ard Na Mara, Kilcoole, County Wicklow, appeared at a sitting of Bray District Court for a bail hearing. He is charged with one count of assault causing harm against his ex-girlfriend.
Garda James O’Reilly outlined the alleged facts. The court heard that on March 11 at 11.45pm gardaí responded to reports of a domestic incident in Newtownmountkennedy. Gda O’Reilly said the accused allegedly attacked his ex-girlfriend and bit her on the hand, leaving her with severe injuries.
The court heard that no statement of complaint had been taken from the alleged victim, but that an independent witness had provided a statement to gardaí.
After being arrested and detained, Mr Forde replied “no comment” during interview, the court was told.
The prosecution objected to bail under Section 2 due to the seriousness of the alleged assault, noting that assault causing harm carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment.
The court also heard that gardaí feared that Mr Forde might attempt to interfere with the complainant.
Gda O’Reilly said he was also objecting to bail under the O’Callaghan principles, due to the accused’s alleged previous bench warrant history.
Counsel for the accused, Thomas Finnerty BL, told the court that his client had a single bench warrant from Dún Laoghaire District Court and that it arose due to a scheduling issue with his instructing solicitor, which had since been “accounted” for with gardaí.
Mr Finnerty said the prosecution must prove that the defendant would attempt to interfere with the alleged victim.
He added that the accused is currently on bail for unrelated matters and is complying with those conditions, which include signing on and observing a curfew.
Judge David Kennedy refused bail and remanded the man in custody.
Mr Forde appeared again at Bray District Court on Monday, March 16 via video link.
His barrister, Ciara O’Brien, stated she believed it was in for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Sergeant Mick Canavan stated that the accused could be remanded for seven days without directions being made peremptory. The court was told that the instructing solicitor has booked to see Mr Forde while in custody.
Judge Kennedy remanded the accused until the beginning of April.