‘Hardy Bucks’ actor denies assault charges

Hardy Bucks actor Martin Maloney has pleaded not guilty to attacking two bouncers following a row about a queue while he was making an appearance at a popular Dublin pub.

The 30-year-old, from Bollingbrook Drive, Swinford, Co Mayo, made his third appearance at Dublin District Court yesterday to face three assault charges and had one struck out.

He is to contest the remaining, more serious assault allegations and was remanded on continuing bail — a date for his non-jury district court trial has yet to be fixed.

Mr Maloney faces two counts for assault causing harm to Brian Smith and Mark O’Shaughnessy at The Big Tree, Dorset St Lower, on Oct 9, 2012.

Garda Eamon Honan told Judge Patricia McNamara yesterday that Mr Maloney had been making a public appearance at the Big Tree when he became involved in an altercation with a security guard over the one-way queuing system at the toilets.

It was alleged he got Mr Smith in a headlock and held him on the ground. Garda Honan said Mr Smith had a previous injury which was exacerbated but has since “settled”.

The court also heard it would be claimed that the actor was then escorted by security staff to a fire exit and taken outside. Garda Honan said it would be alleged the actor then struck Mr O’Shaughnessy.

Judge McNamara was told Mr O’Shaughnessy suffered dental injuries; four teeth needed fillings and one required root canal treatment.

After hearing the outline of the prosecution evidence, Judge McNamara decided not to send the case forward to Circuit Court, which has tougher sentencing powers.

She said Mr Maloney was presumed innocent and accepted jurisdiction to deal with the prosecution at district court level.

The judge adjourned the case to next week, when a trial date will be set.