Anthony Foley granted High Court bail over assault on TD Michael Healy-Rae

A Dublin man charged with assaulting Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae has been granted bail by the High Court under strict conditions.

High Court grants bail to man charged with assaulting Kerry TD

A 51-year-old Dublin man charged with assaulting Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae has been granted High Court bail, radiokerry.ie reports.

Anthony Foley, of Rosary Road, Maryland, Dublin 8, faces a charge of assault causing harm to the politician. The alleged incident took place on Cork Street in the Dublin 8 area on 16 September of this year.

Foley was initially refused bail when he appeared before a court two days after the alleged attack. He subsequently appealed that decision to the High Court.

The presiding judge addressed a series of Garda objections, including concerns that Foley would fail to appear for future court dates and that he might interfere with witnesses via social media or through the TD's workplace. She found there was no evidential basis for either fear.

The judge acknowledged the seriousness of the alleged incident, which took place in broad daylight, and noted that a conviction would likely result in a custodial sentence.

Gardaí had also raised the concern that granting bail could lead to another serious offence targeting a public representative. The judge said she was "not convinced it was clearly politically motivated."

Bail was granted subject to a number of strict conditions: Foley must sign on twice daily at his local Garda station, observe a night-time curfew, and stay out of the Dublin 2 area entirely. An independent surety of €500 must be approved by the court, and Foley is also required to lodge his own bond of €1,400.

Deputy Healy-Rae was not required to attend Tuesday's hearing.

Source: Google News IE — Crime (en)