Ear-bitingcasesent forward for trial

JUDGE James O’Connor declined jurisdiction in the case of a young man accused of biting another man’s ear in the course of an assault, sending him forward for trial to the Circuit Court.

A book of evidence in the case of Dara Brosnan McCarthy, 28 Baile an Gharraí, Lixnaw, will be served when the case comes before Listowel District Court again on July 6 next.

Mr Brosnan McCarthy appeared in custody before Judge James McCarthy – serving a two-year detention sentence on which he is due for release on October 21 – on foot of two assault charges relating to two alleged victims. He is accused of having assaulted another male and having assaulted yet another male, this time causing the victim harm on November 11 of 2015 at Benmore in Ballyduff.

Now 18, Mr Brosnan McCarthy was a minor at the time of the alleged offences.

Reading from a statement of the victim whose ear was injured, Garda Inspector Liam Williams outlined: “‘As I walked past the defendant was sitting’...the defendant followed him, grabbed him from behind leading to a struggle and bit him in the ear”.

Judge O’Connor examined the photographs of the victim’s injuries for a period before deciding the court would decline jurisdiction in the section three assault causing harm charge, and adjourning the case for the service of the book of evidence.