Clare man punched retired judge outside café saying 'you put me in jail for nothing'
A 44-year-old Co Clare man told a retired district court judge, 'You put me in jail for nothing' before allegedly punching him outside an Ennis café, a court has heard.
At Ennis District Court, Jamie O'Connor of Laurel Lodge, Clare Road, Ennis has appeared in connection with the alleged assault of retired district court judge, Joseph Mangan last Saturday afternoon.
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The retired judge, now in his early 80s, served as a judge for 27 years and was the assigned district court judge for Clare from 2001 to October 2011 when he retired at the age of 67.
In the case, Mr O'Connor is charged with the assault causing harm to Joseph Mangan at Barrack Court, Ennis contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act on June 14th.
Judge Alec Gabbett said: 'This is an extremely serious alleged offence where a retired district court judge, now into his 80s, was allegedly assaulted for carrying out a public duty when he was a judge.'
Judge Gabbett said: 'There is a possibility of other charges to follow here.'
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In a contested bail application for Mr O'Connor, Sgt John Burke told the court that at 2.25pm on June 14th, Mr Mangan was sitting outside the Gourmet Store on Barrack Court in Ennis, having a coffee.
Sgt Burke said that it will be alleged that Mr O'Connor approached Mr Mangan 'and told him aggressively 'you put me in jail for nothing'.
Sgt Burke said: 'Following a brief interaction, it is alleged that Mr O'Connor stood up and punched Mr Mangan.'
Sgt Burke said that Mr O'Connor then fled the scene in the direction of O'Connell Street.
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He said that Mr Mangan went to the local injuries unit in Ennis, where he was treated fora possible concussion and dizziness.
Sgt Burke said that Mr Mangan made a statement to local Gardai.
Sgt Burke said that there was no medical evidence yet to hand and said that Mr O'Connor was later arrested, where he made no admissions, 'and blamed alcohol for his memory loss'.
Sgt Burke confirmed to the court that there is an independent witness to what occurred.
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Sgt Burke confirmed that Gardai were opposing bail and said that the original Garda position of consenting to bail for Mr O'Connor on stringent conditions was based on the length of time the case will take before the court.
Judge Gabbett said that he was refusing bail based on the seriousness of the charge before the court. He said: "The allegation here is that a retired member of the judiciary was punched on the street".
He said that 'the facts of the case are very straightforward'.
Judge Gabbett granted legal aid to solicitor Stiofan Fitzpatrick to represent Mr O'Connor. Mr Fitzpatrick asked that bail be granted as it will take a number of months for directions to be made in the case.
Judge Gabbett remanded Mr O'Connor in custody to appear via video-link from Limerick prison in court next Wednesday, June 25th.
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