Man accused of hitting tourist on the head with walking stick at Cork station further remanded in custody

Defendant was told there was no legal representation available to him because of solicitors' dispute over free legal aid payments

Alleged assault occurred at Kent Station. Picture: Dan Linehan

A young American woman visiting Cork was struck across the head with a walking stick when she was at Kent railway station in Cork, it was alleged in court, and now the accused man has been remanded in custody until July 7.

Details of the alleged assault causing harm were outlined at Cork District Court, where Sergeant John Dineen said the DPP said it was a suitable case to be dealt with at district court level. 

However, at an earlier hearing, Judge Catherine Ryan said: “Based on what I have seen, it is an injury to the face which could leave scarring. I am not prepared to accept jurisdiction.” 

Now, 39-year-old Charles Radise, of Domville Woods, Santry, Dublin, has been remanded in custody by Judge Valerie Corcoran, who told him legal representation was not available because of the dispute going on between solicitors and the minister for justice over free legal aid payments.

The defendant began to speak up by video link from prison but Judge Corcoran interrupted him and said: “I would not like you to say anything to incriminate yourself… You need to give your solicitor instructions.” 

The judge remanded him in custody until July 7 for the defence to consider whether a signed plea of guilty would be entered or if a book of evidence would be required.

In his outline of the allegations, Sergeant John Dineen said: “On March 26, gardaí were made aware of an assault that occurred at Kent railway station in Cork.

“It was alleged that a female tourist had been attacked with an article, believed to be a walking stick.

“The injured party received a large laceration to the side of her forehead as a result of being struck on the head by the solitary male, requiring hospitalisation. She was taken to Cork University Hospital, where five staples were applied to the wound.”