Man in alleged domestic violence case tells Kildare court there ‘was a misunderstanding’

A defendant in a Naas District Court case told the presiding judge that there had been 'a misunderstanding' in his case.

The man appeared before Judge Desmond Zaidan on Thursday, March 7 last, during an in-camera (in private) court session.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) indicated that the case be dealt with via summary disposal.

As a result, the judge was told that on a date last year in County Kildare, the man was allegedly aggressive towards his partner and was shouting at her.

He proceeded to strike her on one of her arms twice, which left some bruising.

A photograph of the bruises allegedly sustained by the woman were shown to Judge Zaidan.

Defending solicitor Brian Larkin said that his client 'strenueously denies' ever assaulting his partner, and the man himself said that there was 'a misunderstanding' on the day in question.

Although gardaí had no objections to bail being granted for the accused, it was heard that the man was having difficulty securing an address to reside in as part of his bail conditions.

The judge also mentioned that an interim barring order application hearing was due to take place previously, but the man's partner did not attend.

Brian Larkin was the defending solicitor in the case.

She replied that she did not know that the hearing was going to take place on this date.

Mr Larkin added: "To be fair, I thought it (the hearing) was due to take place on a different date too."

In response to the woman, Judge Zaidan said that he believed her.

The judge refused jurisdiction over the case and adjourned the matter later in the month, in order to allow time for the DPP to approve his decision to refuse jurisdiction.

A book of evidence is also due to be presented on this date.

The judge remanded the accused in custody, with the possibility of bail, on this date.

The defendant also faces an unrelated charge which was not disclosed to the court, which also adjourned to the same date.