Road rage death accused may face more charges
Karl Donohoe, 29, appeared in court yesterday, where he was charged with assault causing harm to Raymond Bates at a road junction in Dublin last month.
Father-of-three Mr Bates, 49, died in Beaumont Hospital four days after he received head injuries during an alleged assault.
The construction worker, from Peterlee, Co Durham, was pulling away from traffic lights at Sandymount when he came embroiled in a row with another motorist.
The incident took place at the junction of Tritonville Road, Sandymount Road, and Newbridge Avenue in Dublin 4 at around 7.30pm on Sunday, September 26.
Father-of-one Donohoe, a crane driver, with an address at Fisherman’s Wharf, Ringsend, south Dublin, was charged under section four of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. His solicitor Michael Kelleher asked for an adjournment to consult with Detective Sergeant Barry Walsh regarding acceptable bail conditions. When the case resumed, he informed the judge agreement had been reached.
Judge Lucey accepted the conditions and remanded Donohoe in custody with consent to bail to Cloverhill District Court next Tuesday.
The conditions included a nominal own bond of €250 and an independent surety of €5,000.
The defendant must also stay at the address given to gardaí and notify them of any changes. He must surrender his passport and not apply for a new one.
He has to sign on three times a week at Irishtown Garda Station.
Mr Kelleher applied for free legal aid. He said his client earned €480 a week, was supporting a child and that there were “serious matters going forward”.
Sgt Walsh had no objection and said that “more serious charges” could possibly follow. Judge Lucey granted free legal aid.
