Cork man accused of assault causing harm claimed he was involved in an 'act of rescue'  

A 45-year-old man accused of assault causing harm to another man at 4.30am on Sunday morning at Drawbridge Street in Cork claimed he was involved in an act of rescue.

Gerard Walsh of 72 Bakers Road, Gurranabraher, Cork, applied at Cork District Court for bail on charges of assault causing harm, engaging in threatening behaviour and being so drunk that he was a source of danger to himself or others.

Initially, there was objection from An Garda Síochána to bail being granted but it later emerged that bail on strict conditions would be acceptable.

Judge Mary Dorgan remanded the accused man on bail to appear again at Cork District Court next month on January 27.

This is to allow time for directions to be obtained from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Judge Dorgan remanded him on €1,000 bail, to sign daily at Gurranabraher Garda Station, keep a curfew between 10pm and 7am at his home at Bakers Road, abstain from all intoxicants, commit no offences, provide a phone number to be contactable at all times by gardaí, stay out of Cork city centre, except for pre-arranged medical and legal appointments, and have no contact with the injured party or witnesses.

Frank Buttimer solicitor said during the brief court hearing: “There is a detailed explanation for the defence he will be putting up. He said he was engaged in an act of rescue of another person.

“There is a deep conflict between the DPP description and Mr Walsh’s description, including Mr Walsh being the one who called the guards and handed over the weapon (a screwdriver).

“He was attempting to prevent the alleged victim from doing what the alleged victim was doing.”

No further details were given in court on who the defendant was allegedly rescuing and in what circumstances.