Cork man accused of assaulting ISPCA officer complained he had to sleep on prison floor

Accused also claimed he had been beaten up twice

Accused is required to sign on daily at Anglesea Street Garda Station. Picture: Denis Minihane

A 54-year-old man accused of assault causing harm to an ISPCA animal welfare inspector during an incident near his home last month complained by video link from prison that while remanded in custody he had slept on the floor on 29 nights and been beaten up twice.

Hugh O’Brien, of Ballyanly, Inniscarra, Co Cork, is charged with assaulting ISPCA animal welfare inspector Caroline Faherty at Ballyanly on August 19, contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

On Thursday, he asked Judge Mary Dorgan to drop the condition of bail requiring an independent surety, as he was unable to raise this and it was keeping him in custody.

Judge Dorgan said such a matter could be raised with his solicitor Eddie Burke, or with an appeal of the bail at the High Court.

Mr O’Brien said bail was set last month after "prejudicial comments" from a garda. The defendant claimed in relation to the Garda witness: “He had 100 % opinions and 0% facts.” 

Judge Dorgan remanded him in custody with consent to bail until October 2.

The independent surety was set by Judge Brendan O’Reilly at €1,000 with €300 of that to be provided in cash and the surety would have to be approved by the court.

He was also directed him to stay away from the property, have no contact directly or indirectly with the alleged injured party or witnesses, and sign on daily at Anglesea Street Garda Station between the hours of 9am and 9pm.