Man charged after assault on French doctor

A MAN appeared in court in relation to an alleged assault in the early hours of Sunday morning which left a young French doctor fighting for his life in hospital.

The 26-year-old victim, Guillane Osterstock from Montpellier in southern France, suffered injuries during an altercation in Dublin’s Temple Bar.

The injured man, a doctor, was brought to Beaumont Hospital, the specialist head injury centre in Ireland. He suffered serious head injuries. He is understood to be working as a locum doctor in the same hospital and is also studying at the Royal College of Surgeons.

Gardaí arrested two men after the incident.

Yesterday evening, Simon Mercier, aged 23, with an address in Canada, appeared before Judge Angela Ni Chonduin in the Dublin District Court. He was charged with assaulting Guillane Osterstock causing him harm contrary to section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.

He was remanded in prison until August 17 to appear in Cloverhill Court.

Detectives said they are still appealing for information.

People are asked to contact Pearse Street Station at 01-6669000 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.

Meanwhile, a man was charged yesterday with assaulting a Garda sergeant during a stabbing incident in Donegal over the weekend.

John Boyle, aged 46, of Lek Cottages, Letterkenny, appeared before the vacation sitting of Mullingar District Court charged with four counts of assault causing harm to four men, including the sergeant.

Sergeant Eunan Walsh said Boyle, who is also charged with possession of a knife at Lower Main St, Letterkenny, on Sunday morning, made no reply after charge. He was released on bail to appear at Letterkenny District Court on September 15.

A file is to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions and Judge William Hamill heard there may be additional charges.

Legal aid was granted to Boyle, who is not working.

Reports indicated that all four alleged victims were treated in hospital, with the sergeant receiving hospital care after the other men were released. It’s understood none of the injuries are life threatening.