De Rossa son not fit to attend court

A son of Labour MEP Proinsias De Rossa, who is charged with assaulting his father, was “not fit” to attend his court hearing today as he is receiving “ongoing psychiatric treatment”.

Fearghal De Rossa (aged 45) of Old Finglas Road, Dublin, had been remanded in custody following a court appearance on Saturday, November 12 after he was accused of attacking his 71-year-old father.

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

Following another court appearance on November 16 last, he was transferred to the Central Mental Hospital (CMH) in Dundrum, south Dublin for treatment after a judge heard there was “an issue in relation to mental health” and two psychiatrists had conducted assessments of Mr De Rossa.

Today, defence counsel Mr Mark Lynam BL told Judge David McHugh at Cloverhill District Court that Mr De Rossa was not fit to be produced from the CMH.

The judge said he received a medical note allowing Mr De Rossa to stay in the hospital until December 15.

He remanded him custody to appear in the same court again on that date and said a note and a progress report would be required if Mr De Rossa was unable to attend.

Judge McHugh also noted that the accused is still receiving “ongoing psychiatric treatment”.

The court also heard the state consented to the adjournment and said the case was in its very early stages.

Directions from the DPP have to obtained in relation to whether Mr De Rossa should face trial in the District Court or instead sent forward to the Circuit Court.

The maximum sentence on conviction for assault causing harm at Circuit Court level is a five-year prison term.