Rifle removed after alleged assault to undergo forensic examination

Eddie Cassidy

A legally-held rifle was peacefully handed over to armed detectives at the man’s cottage in the Schull area yesterday.

Earlier, a local builder, who suffered a facial injury and admitted himself to hospital, reported to gardaí that a firearm was also discharged.

A garda investigation into the alleged assault is continuing. However, the owner of the rifle denied the weapon was discharged. The rifle was sent yesterday to Dublin for a technical examination.

The injured party was believed to have told gardaí that a bullet flew past his head.

Neither of the parties involved in the incident could be contacted yesterday.

Gardaí confirmed there were no arrests. It is likely that a file will be prepared, in due course, for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The man who admitted himself to Bantry General Hospital with a suspected jaw injury was named locally as Chris Farrell. It is believed he suffered the injury after allegedly being struck with the butt of the rifle.

The injured man is the husband of Máire Farrell, who featured last year in the Ian Bailey libel trial.

Ms Farrell claimed during the libel hearing she saw a man behaving suspiciously the day the body of French woman Sophie Toscan du Plantier was found at Dunmanus West, Toormore, eight years ago.

The assault incident on Monday night also occurred in the Toormore region but did not relate to anyone involved in the Ian Bailey trial.

It is believed the man at the centre of the alleged assault has lived in the Schull area for the past 15 years and is known to gardaí as an anti-war demonstrator.

A number of locals had complained to gardaí in recent months about his alleged anti-social behaviour.

It is believed the assault may have occurred after Mr Farrell allegedly challenged the man about his behaviour.