Canadian accused of Temple Bar assault wants to travel home

A Canadian student accused of assault causing harm to a French medic in Temple Bar is to apply to the High Court for permission to travel home while on bail.

A court has heard that Simon Mercier, from Quebec, insists that he is innocent of any wrongdoing.

Quebec student Mercier is accused of an early-morning assault in Temple Bar on 26-year-old medic Guillaume Osterstock.

He is alleged to have carried out the attack on the Sunday of the August Bank Holiday.

The French man suffered head injuries and was treated at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.

Bail was granted to 23-year-old Simon Mercier last month but today his lawyers will apply to the High Court to vary its terms so as to allow him return to Canada and continue with his studies ahead of any trial.

At a previous appearance, his solicitor Peter Connolly told the District Court that his client said that the incident was a case of self defence.