Limerick man remanded in custody after alleged assault and courthouse escape
Niall Whelan, 22, faces charges of assault causing harm and escape from lawful custody after allegedly fleeing Newcastle West Courthouse through a bathroom window.
Accused fled through courthouse window ahead of daughter's birthday, court told
Limerickleader.ie reports that a 22-year-old man accused of a serious assault and escaping garda custody has been further remanded in custody following a procedural hearing before Judge Patricia Harney at Limerick District Court.
Niall Whelan, of O'Malley Park in Limerick city, faces two charges: assault causing harm and escape from lawful custody. Each charge carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years' imprisonment.
Garda Bojan Klaric alleged that on August 11, an assault took place at a property in the Cappamore area of County Limerick. The complainant was found to have sustained a broken jaw and wrist bone, among other injuries.
According to the garda, Whelan, the complainant and a third man had been drinking in Arthur's Quay Park in the city before travelling to the Cappamore village that evening. It is alleged all three men took drugs and that a dispute later arose concerning one of their ex-partners.
Garda Klaric alleged that Whelan and the second man then struck the alleged victim during what was described as a 20-minute ordeal involving a "blunt object." The complainant was also allegedly thrown into a shower door and threatened. Whelan and the second man are further alleged to have taken the complainant's clothing, phone and jewellery.
Following a complaint, gardaí conducted a search at the Cappamore location. Garda Klaric confirmed that bloodstained clothing and other items were recovered. He told the court that the alleged victim had provided a "highly credible" statement and that, in his view, the injuries could only have been caused by an assault.
Whelan was identified as a suspect and arrested and charged on Monday, September 21. He was due to appear before Newcastle West District Court the following day.
The court heard that while waiting for his case to be called at Newcastle West Courthouse on September 22, Whelan requested to use the restroom. He allegedly escaped custody by climbing out through a bathroom window.
A search involving a helicopter and a significant number of gardaí was subsequently launched in the Newcastle West area. Later that same evening, Whelan was arrested in the O'Malley Park area of Limerick city.
Solicitor Tom Kiely, representing the accused, said it was his view that the alleged escape occurred because his client was "anxious" and had "panicked," wanting to be present for his daughter's birthday and christening. Both events have since taken place, the court was told.
Bail was refused following Whelan's first court appearance last month. At last week's procedural hearing, Sergeant Aisling O'Neill informed the court that directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions remain outstanding. She sought an adjournment, and Whelan was remanded in continuing custody.
He is next due before Limerick District Court on October 13, where it is anticipated that DPP directions will be available.
Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.
Source: Google News IE — Crime (en)