Man accused of assaulting US tourist 'not comfortable' with video link from prison

A man accused of assaulting an American woman who was visiting Cork told a judge he was not comfortable with appearing on camera by video link from prison and wanted to be in court in person.

Sergeant David Fleming applied for an adjournment of the case until July 31 for preparation and service of the book of evidence in the case. Charles Radise, aged 39, said he did not trust the camera link and wanted to be before the court in person.

Judge David Waters told Mr Radise, of Domville Woods, Santry, Dublin, that he would direct that he be brought from prison to Cork District Court for the next court appearance. The defendant was remanded in continuing custody until then.

It is alleged that a young American woman visiting Cork was struck across the head with a walking stick when she was at Kent railway station. The defendant had no legal representation in court because of the dispute going on between solicitors and the minister for justice over free legal aid payments.

In an 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.”