Move to strike out assault charge is refused

A judge refused to strike out an assault charge when a solicitor claimed his client had been prejudicially affected by media coverage.

Judge Eugene O’Kelly also refused a call by solicitor John Devane to have journalists and representatives of the Irish Independent, Evening Herald, and Sunday World attend court to account for news items he claimed linked the accused to an alleged rape of a woman.

Mr Devane said his client appeared on a bail application at Limerick District last week.