'I am genuinely a nice person', says Kerry man accused of assaulting partner

Defendant also charged with headbutting Garda car, causing damage, and assaulting officer

Mon, 27 Apr, 2026 - 17:11

Liam Heylin

A Kerry man charged with scaring his partner at her home, headbutting a Garda car and assaulting an officer, insisted on Monday: “I am genuinely a nice person.”

The 27-year-old’s application for bail was heard at an in camera hearing of Cork District Court on Monday, where he was represented by Stephen Cotter solicitor.

The accused said in the course of his application that even though his partner had a barring order against him, they were still living together.

“I am genuinely a nice person. If I got bail I will stay away from [partner’s name]. I will keep my head down. I don’t know what else to say. I’m sorry,” the defendant said.

He is charged with breaching the barring order by putting her in fear, assaulting her, resisting arrest by a garda and headbutting the patrol car, causing damage.

Judge Dorgan heard the objection to bail at Cork District Court because there was no court sitting in Kerry to deal with the case, which occurred in that county. She refused bail and remanded him in custody to appear in Kenmare District Court on May 1.

Garda James Downey outlined the allegations in the case, which related to 8.30pm on Sunday, April 26, in Kerry.

“The defendant was allegedly aggressive in her home and calling her insulting names such as a fat c***, a cheeky bitch, and a fool. She stated that he threw a phone charger at her, which hit her in the arm. No injuries were reported but she said she was in fear of him.

“Gardai attended at the scene and he was allegedly aggressive towards them, obstructing them, headbutting the rear left window of the patrol car, smashing it and then stumbling, landing on Garda Jamie Riordan, causing injury to him — a sprain to his ankle,” Garda Downey said.

He said a young child was present in the house. The defendant spoke up to say the child was not there.