No love lost as man stands trial for assaulting Garda on Valentine’s Day

February 28, 2024

A man is to stand trial in Letterkenny on a series of charges, including assaulting a Garda and causing him harm on Valentine’s day four years ago.

Owen Orr will go before Letterkenny Circuit Court after a book of evidence was served on him this week.

A 30-year-old with an address at Tullyvery Drive, Greysteel, Orr appeared before Judge Éiteáin Cunningham at Monday’s sitting of Letterkenny District Court.

Orr is charged that, at Cullion Road, Letterkenny, he assaulted Garda Michael Kilcoyne, a peace officer, acting in the course of his duty. The charge is contrary to Section 19 (3) of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994, as amended by Section 185 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006.

He is also charged that, at Cullion Road, Letterkenny, he did without lawful excuse damage property, to wit, a Garda Honda motorcycle, the belonging to the Chief Superintendent, An Garda Siochana. The charge is contrary to Section 2 (1) of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991.

He is charged with assaulting Charles Bonner causing him harm at Manorcunningham, also on February 14, 2019.

The charge is contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against The Person Act, 1997.

Orr is also charged that he did get into a mechanically propelled vehicle, the property of Charles Bonner, while such vehicle was stationary, The charge is contrary to Section 113 or the Road Traffic Act, 1961, as amended by Section 6 of the Road Traffic Act, 1968 and Section 18 of the Road Traffic Act, 2006

He is further charged that, at Dromore, Letterkenny, on February 14, 2019, that he did without lawful excuse damage property, to wit, a Toyota Corolla belonging to Kathleen Birch intending to damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be damaged. The charge is contrary to Sedction 2 (1) of the Criminal Damage Act, 1991.

Garda Pauline Doherty gave evidence of serving a book of evidence on Orr at 12.07pm on Monday.

Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has consented for Orr to be returned for trial to the next sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court.

Judge Cunningham made an order returning Orr for trial. Judge Cunningham administered the alibi warning and made a section 56 order relating to tapes of interviews.

Legal aid was granted to solicitor Mr Frank Dorrian and two counsel were assigned.

Orr was remanded on continuing bail on the same terms.

The court heard that there are also summary matters to be dealt with and these were adjourned to May 27.

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