A GALWAY city man who denies assaulting two gardaí and two civilians on separate dates two years ago has been remanded on continuing bail to November when evidence in the case will be heard at Galway District Court.
Gerard Barry (27), originally from St James Crescent, Mervue, Galway, with a more recent address at Rosan Glas, and Tur Uisce, Doughiska, Galway, appeared before the court yesterday charged with assaulting Garda Jason Kelly and Sgt John McElroy at Eyre Square, Galway, on March 31st, 2007, and with being drunk in public, on the same date.
He is further charged with obstructing Garda Kelly, with breaching the peace and with failing to obey the directions of Garda Kelly to leave the area.
Barry further denies a charge of contravening a protection order, by calling to a woman’s home in Clareview Park, Galway, at 2.25am on August 16th, 2007, and putting the woman in fear.
He also denies a charge of assaulting the woman and a second person on August 3rd, 2007, at Claremont Park, Bishop O’Donnell Road, Galway.
Judge Mary Fahy observed the charges before the court were left over by the State while more serious matters were being disposed of, and she noted the DPP’s directions on the charges before the court had been sought for yesterday’s court hearing. Insp Seán Glynn said the DPP had advocated summary disposal of the case by the District Court.
Barry’s solicitor Olivia Traynor indicated that her client would be contesting the charges by telling the court that she had taken instructions from him yesterday morning and that she was now looking for a date for hearing evidence in the matter.
She advised the court that her client would not have many witnesses to call for the hearing.
Insp Glynn indicated that the State would be calling seven witnesses.
Judge Fahy said Barry was on bail in relation to the charges before the court and she remanded him on continuing bail to appear before the court again on November 18th when the matter will be heard.