Man accused of assault in Cork city centre allowed out on bail

The court heard the alleged injured party 'was able to provide gardaí with photographs and videos of the suspect'

The alleged incident is said to have happened on Sunday, October 26, at Oliver Plunkett Street in Cork. File photo: Andy Gibson

Gardaí objected to bail being granted to a 23-year-old man arrested and charged with assault causing harm to another man in Cork city centre last October.

Judge John King said the objection did not reach the necessary threshold for a refusal of bail and he granted bail to Martin Ekhosuehi of Willow Gardens, Brooklodge, Glanmire, County Cork.

Garda Steven O'Sullivan outlined the background to the alleged incident on Sunday, October 26, at Oliver Plunkett Street, Cork.

On arrival at the scene Garda O'Sullivan spoke to the alleged injured party who informed him that he had been assaulted and gave a description of the person and what he was wearing. Garda O’Sullivan noted that the complainant had a cut on his chin which was bleeding.

“He was able to provide gardaí with photographs and videos of the suspect.

“A short while later gardaí observed a male on Oliver Plunkett St matching the description of the male in the videos and photographs. Gardaí approached this male and established his identity as Martin Ekhosuehi,” Garda O’Sullivan testified.

Martin Ekhosuehi was arrested and charged on January 19 with the alleged assault in October.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, argued that it was a case for bail. “He works as a personal trainer in a gym. He does charity work for the church, of which he is a member — he gives classes in the gym pro bono to church members.

“This is an incident which happened in late October. He was amenable to An Garda Síochána and he was found (for the purpose of charging) where he was expected to be,” Mr Buttimer said.

Judge John King remanded the defendant on bail until April 14. Conditions require him to sign on four times a week at his local garda station, have no contact with the alleged injured party, abstain from intoxicants in public and be contactable by gardaí at all times by mobile phone.

Judge John Kelleher said directions were being sought from the Director of Public Prosecutions.