Man accused of serious assault on woman in Cork has case adjourned until October 

Victim of alleged attack, who was at home with her child at the time, suffered slash wounds from a bladed instrument during her struggle to escape

Gardaí had to cordon off the area after the alleged assault took place. File picture

A 44-year-old man charged with assault causing harm to a woman arising out of a serious incident in Cork in February, where a Garda helicopter was involved in the investigation, has had his case put back until October.

The man, who is not named for legal reasons, was charged by Detective Garda Patrick Houlihan with carrying out an assault on a woman, causing her harm, contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, at Evergreen Road.

Sergeant Aisling Murphy said directions were not yet available in the case, and asked for an adjournment for that purpose.

The accused appeared in Cork District Court again on Thursday on continuing bail. 

His solicitor Frank Buttimer said: “I do accept this may be a complicated enough investigation.” 

He said the defence would consent to a lengthy adjournment but asked for a progress report on the investigation on the next occasion if DPP directions were not then available.

Judge John King adjourned the case until October 16.

Mr Buttimer said the accused was on moderately restrictive bail, which included signing on every day at his local Garda station, a condition with which he was in total compliance.

Bail conditions relaxed

He asked for this condition to be relaxed to three days a week instead and Sgt Murphy said the State would agree to that.

When he was charged and cautioned, the 43-year-old replied: “Thanks so much for taking clear measures in this case. I look forward to being released and going back to my children.”

The case arose of a the investigation of a reported incident at Evergreen Road where it was alleged that a man fled from the scene and was found on waste ground nearby.

It was reported that a man allegedly forced his way into a house where he threatened a woman, who was at home alone with a child, and subjected her to a serious assault. Gardaí cordoned off the area outside this house.

It was further reported that the woman managed to get free at around 9.40am on February 10, take her child with her, and run outside in her slippers to a pharmacy across the road. She apparently suffered slash wounds from a bladed instrument during her struggle to escape.