Bail refused for man accused of 'most horrific' assault
The man appeared at an in camera hearing at Waterford Courthouse.
A Waterford man has been refused bail after being accused of assaulting a man with hammers and a copper pipe.
The man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared before Judge Kevin Staunton at an in-camera hearing at Waterford District Court.
Detective Garda Sean Lane outlined to the Judge the particulars of the offences allegedly committed by the defendant.
Det. Lane alleged that on a date in October last year, the defendant, accompanied by two others, assaulted a man in a shed. The alleged victim was attacked with copper pipes and hammers and spent six nights in University Hospital Waterford (UHW). The court heard that he suffered a bleed on the brain, fractured skull and spine, broken fingers and cracked knuckles.
The injured party made a statement to Gardaí in the days following the incident. Gardaí arrested the defendant at his home and investigated the site of the alleged offence. Gardaí recovered blood samples found at the scene and sent them to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for analysis.
In December 2025, the injured party attempted to withdraw their statement and gave a negative report. However, in early January, he gave another statement to Gardaí after a member of his family reported damage to their vehicle. Det. Lane told the Judge that Gardaí are concerned that witnesses and relatives of the injured party may be subjected to intimidation. Solicitor Ken Cunningham stated that his client was a family man with no previous convictions. Mr Cunningham said that the accused enjoys the right to the presumption of innocence and could be incarcerated for months before a trial can take place in the Circuit Court.
Judge Staunton refused bail, noting the "strong evidence" presented of "a most horrific assault". The case will be heard again in Waterford District Court on January 27.
