*Photograph: John Mangan
A JUDGE has granted an adjournment to the State in the trial of a Shannon man who is charged with the assault causing harm and false imprisonment of his then girlfriend on St Patrick’s Day this year.
At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Francis Comerford granted the adjournment in the case of Mark Hayes (35) who is charged with false imprisonment of his then girl-friend at a house at Rineanna View in Shannon on March 17th last contrary to Section 15 of the Non Fatal Offences against the Person Act.
Mr Hayes of Aidan Park, Shannon is also charged with the assault causing harm of the same woman at the same Shannon address of Rineanna View contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act on March 17th.
Mr Hayes is also charged with threatening to kill his then girlfriend at the same address on the same date contrary to Section 5 of the Non Fatal Offences against the Person Act.
Counsel for the State, Sarah Jane Comerford BL said that the State has received a medical report concerning the alleged victim’s attendance at hospital after the alleged assault.
Ms Comerford (instructed by Clare State Solicitor, Aisling Casey) said that an updated medical report is required in the case in order to be fair to the alleged victim in the case and the State was seeking an adjournment on that basis.
Counsel for Mr Hayes, Patrick Whyms BL (instructed by solicitor, Stiofan Fitzpatrick) said that it was his clear instruction to oppose the application to adjourn.
Mr Whyms said that the trial was listed as a priority case.
Ms Comerford said that the State was reliant on medical professionals to provide the new medical report.
Judge Francis Comerford said that he would grant the application to adjourn the case but wanted an update on the status of the medical report on Friday.
Judge Comerford said that if the medical report is available, it may be possible for the trial to proceed next week.
At a previous district court hearing in the case, Det Sgt Kevin O’Hagan of Shannon Garda Station said that the alleged victim spent 11 days in hospital after the alleged assault.
