Man charged with assault after fatal road rage incident

A 29-year-old man has been charged with assault causing serious harm to an English motorist who died following an attack in Dublin last month.

Raymond Bates (aged 49), who was from Durham, sustained serious head injuries following an incident at the junction of Sandymount Road/Newbridge Avenue and Tritonville Road, in Sandymount, in Dublin 4, on September 26 last.

He felt unwell the next day and went to St Vincent's Hospital. He was then transferred to Beaumont Hospital where he fell into a coma and died there on the evening of September 30 last.

Today at Dublin District Court, Karl Donahue, a father-of-one, of Fishermans Wharf, in Ringsend, in south Dublin, was charged under Section Four of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Persons Act with causing serious harm to Mr Bates.

Detective Sergeant Barry Walsh told Judge Timothy Lucey that the accused was arrested at 12.12am today at Irishtown Garda station.

He said the defendant, who was dressed in blue jeans, a striped jumper and runners, made “no reply” when he was charged. He also said that “there may be more serious charges”.

He applied for a remand in custody for one week but agreed with defence solicitor Michael Kelleher, that he would not object to bail subject to conditions being imposed.

Judge Lucey remanded the defendant in custody with consent to bail, which was not taken up immediately, in his own bond of €250 and subject to an independent surety of €5,000.

He agreed to attach bail conditions, sought by Det. Sgt Walsh.

The accused was ordered to sign on three times a week at Irishtown garda station, surrender his passport, and not apply for a new one, and to notify gardaí of any change of address.

Legal aid was granted to the accused, who was employed and earned €480 a week, after Det. Sgt Walsh told the court that the defendant's “means are scarce”.

The accused, who remained silent during his case, will appear again at Cloverhill District Court on October 19 next.