Car wash worker denied bail over alleged assault of partner in her vehicle

Tom Tuite

A car wash worker accused of attacking his partner in her vehicle in Monaghan has been refused bail.

Caolan Myers (26) of Threemilehouse, Monaghan, was charged with assault causing harm and with no local court sitting available, he was brought before Judge Michael Ramsey at Dublin District Court on Saturday.

He faced bail objections from Garda Gavin Kelly, who cited the seriousness of the incident on Thursday.

Garda Kelly alleged the accused was aggressive to the woman and that she then "received a punch on the chest and to the left side of her face", resulting in bruising, swelling and a laceration that required stitches.

Judge Ramsey heard that the woman made the assault report on June 4th.

The accused was arrested the next day.

He also said a child was present in the vehicle at the time.

Garda Kelly said the woman did not attend the bail hearing, but she had reported that she was traumatised and in fear.

Cross-examined by defence solicitor Kate McGhee, the garda said he could not answer why the complainant was not present, and she was made aware it was being held.

Her medical report was outstanding.

He also conceded that he had not spoken directly with the accused about how the woman felt about the accused getting bail.

The garda accepted that he was relying on information from a colleague. He also confirmed that the accused was not already on bail for other matters.

McGhee argued for bail with conditions, including a no-contact orderShe said he was working and had a stable address available, and the presumption of innocence.

However, the application was denied, and Myers was remanded in custody and will appear again in court next week.

Legal aid was granted.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Women’s Aid (24-hour freephone helpline at 1800-341 900, email helpline@womensaid.ie) or Men’s Aid Ireland (confidential helpline at 01-554 3811, email hello@mensaid.ie) for support and information.

Safe Ireland also offers a number of local services and helplines at safeireland.ie/get-help/where-to-find-help/. In the case of an emergency, always dial 999/112.