Judge refuses jurisdiction in case of Waterford man accused of attacking his pregnant girlfriend
Waterford Courthouse
A judge at Waterford District Court has refused jurisdiction in a case of a man accused of attacking his pregnant girlfriend.
The man in his 30s was before Judge John Cheatle charged with assault causing harm and criminal damage in June this year.
He was also charged with being intoxicated in a public place and with threatening and abusive behaviour.
Sergeant John Phelan told the court that the defendant is accused of grabbing his girlfriend by the hair, dragging her around the room and insulting her before throwing her to the ground and punching her in the face.
The alleged assault was the result of a row, and during the dispute, the defendant is alleged to have caused €1,000 worth of damage to a bedroom door.
Judge Cheatle refused jurisdiction due to the value of the damage exceeding the District Court threshold and put the matter back to December for DPP instructions for referral to a higher court.
