De Rossa son accused of attacking his father

A SON of a Labour MEP who is charged with assaulting his father has been transferred to the Central Mental Hospital for treatment.

Fearghal De Rossa, aged 45, of Old Finglas Road, Dublin, had been remanded in custody after a court appearance on Saturday last, accused of attacking his 71-year-old father, Proinsias De Rossa.

He made no application for bail when he had been charged under section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Persons Act for assault causing harm to the former minister, in Dublin, on November 11.

He appeared at Cloverhill District Court yesterday but did not apply for bail. Judge David McHugh heard that gardaí were seeking more time for directions from the DPP to be obtained.

Counsel for De Rossa, who has been held at Cloverhill Prison, Dublin, said his client was brought into court on an assault charge and there was “an issue in relation to mental health”.

Two psychiatrists from the Central Mental Hospital (CMH), in Dundrum, south Dublin, had already conducted assessments of De Rossa, the judge heard.

Defence then sought an order allowing the accused transfer to CMH.

“His condition is such that requires admission and I understand a bed will be made available today for his transfer,” said Dr Conor O’Neill, a consultant psychiatrist at CMH.

“Two weeks would be helpful,” he added, when asked how long it was necessary to have De Rossa at the facility.

Judge McHugh agreed to make the order, stipulating that a medical report was to be furnished to the court.

De Rossa is to appear in court again on December 2.

Meanwhile, directions from the DPP are sought to determine whether the case should stay in the district court or be sent forward to the circuit court.