Kildare resident accused of hitting man with frying pan
Bail was refused for a man who allegedly repeatedly hit another man in the head with a frying pan.
Dylan McMahon, 29, of 57 Kilpatrick, Kildangan, Monasterevin, Kildare appeared before Portlaoise District Court accused of assault causing harm and theft in Tullamore, Co Offaly on October 18, 2023.
Detective Garda Adrian Hanley said the man was alleged to have stolen six cans of Budweiser valued at €14 from Lidl, Church Road, Tullamore and to have assaulted a man causing harm at Apartment 16, 14 Church Street, Tullamore on October 18.
Objecting to bail, Det Hanley said the injured party alleged he had been “viciously attacked in an unprovoked attack” and that the defendant had picked up items and threatened him.
The injured man claimed the defendant “hit him on the head with a frying pan a number of times” during the assault. He said it would be alleged the victim begged him to stop during the incident.
“His eyes are so swollen that he is currently unable to see out,” he said.
He told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court that the man was still in hospital the day after the incident.
Det Hanley said the injured party feared he would be killed during the incident and that he was being held against his will.
Solicitor Aonghus McCarthy said his client had recently been released from the psychiatric ward of Portlaoise Hospital and suffered from memory loss due to a brain injury. He pointed out that the man was neither charged with false imprisonment or threatening to kill. He said his client was entitled to the presumption of innocence.
Mr McCarthy asked Det Hanley if there were any bail conditions which might allay his concerns.
Dept Hanley replied “absolutely none”.
Judge Andrew Cody was shown pictures of the injured party. He noted the defendant comes to court with the presumption of innocence but said the opinion of Det Hanley was well founded.
He refused bail and remanded the defendant in custody to reappear before Tullamore District Court on October 25.