Man’s ear was almost severed in hatchet attack, court hears

A CLARE man had his ear almost severed in an alleged hatchet attack by his brother in Shannon on Wednesday night, a court heard.

At Ennis District Court yesterday, Michael James McDonagh, aged 37, of Ballymurtagh halting site, appeared in connection with a Section 3 assault causing harm to his younger brother Michael McDonagh at the Shannon halting site on August 31 at about 8.30pm.

Detective Sergeant Kevin O’Hagan said Michael McDonagh had his ear almost severed after a blow to the side of the head from a hatchet and suffered a slash wound across his stomach.