Cork man accused of assault causing harm to ISPCA inspector remanded in custody with consent to bail

A 54-year-old man accused of assault causing harm to an ISPCA animal welfare inspector during an incident near his home last month appeared at Cork District Court today by video link from prison.

Hugh O’Brien of Ballyanly, Inniscarra, County 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.

Diane Hallahan solicitor stood in for her colleague Eddie Burke to represent the accused in court.

Judge Mary Dorgan was informed that at a remand hearing last month the defendant was granted bail but was since remanded in custody as the independent surety had yet to be approved.

Judge Brendan O’Reilly granted Mr O’Brien bail in his own bond of €300 with €100 of that to be provided in cash. 

He also sought an independent surety of €1,000 with €300 of that to be provided in cash and that the surety would have to be approved by the court.

He 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.

Judge Dorgan said she would remand the accused in custody until September 18 with consent to that bail. 

Mr O’Brien asked for a much shorter adjournment so that he would not be in custody for a fortnight if the independent surety was available within days.

Judge Dorgan explained that an application could be made long before September 18 to have the independent surety approved and if that was done the defendant would be released immediately and could turn up at Cork District Court on bail on September 18.