*The assault took place in February.
A 45-year old Ennis carpenter has appeared in court charged in connection with a claw-hammer assault on a man at his home in front of the alleged victim’s two children, aged 12 and 10.
At Ennis District Court, Det Garda Kevin Hooban said that it will be alleged that Ennis man, Alan Mounsey unlawfully entered the Clarecastle home of Aaron Moloney at 7.15pm on Saturday February 22nd armed with a claw-hammer and assaulted Mr Moloney a number of times and caused him serious harm.
Det Garda Hooban said that Mr Moloney sustained several injuries from the alleged home assault that included a fractured leg, broken ribs, a puncture to the lung and lacerations to the head.
Det Garda Hooban said that Mr Moloney was hospitalised for seven to eight days as a result of the alleged assault and has now been discharged.
Det Garda Hooban gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution of Mr Mounsey and said that the accused made no comment after caution.
Mr Mounsey of Bishop’s Court, Ennis is charged with the assault causing harm of Aaron Moloney at Cluain Ard, Clarecastle on February 22nd.
Mr Mounsey is also charged with producing a claw hammer during the course of an alleged assault contrary to Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act at the same address on the same date.
Opposing bail for Mr Mounsey, Det Garda Hooban told the court today that “there is a strong possibility of further more serious charges being brought against the accused”.
Det Garda Hooban said that Mr Mounsey is known to Aaron Moloney. Det Garda Hooban said that the alleged assault took place in front of Mr Moloney’s two children aged 12 and 10.
Det Garda Hooban said that the accused made no admissions during a Garda interview.
Det Garda Hooban said that a huge concern for Gardaí is the violent nature of the alleged incident and said that Gardaí were concerned that Mr Mounsey would try to interfere with the alleged injured party.
In advancing his application for bail, Mr Mounsey said that he will abide any bail conditions.
Mr Mounsey has sole custody of a son from a previous relationship and has a daughter with his current partner and the couple are expecting their second child together.
Mr Mounsey said that he has no intention of contacting the alleged injured party through social media or any other means.
From the witness box, Mr Mounsey told the court, “My main priority is my missus and my kids. I am not getting involved in anything. I am sole carer for my son. A kid on the way. I am working. I will not interfere with anything”.
He said, “My priority is my family. That’s it. I will comply with any conditions and I know if I break any I will go straight to prison”.
Counsel for Mr Mounsey, Aaron Desmond BL said that Mr Mounsey is a hard-working individual and a family man.
Judge Alec Gabbett said that his main concern was the Garda concern over the interference with the alleged injured party and granted bail on condition that Mr Mounsey move away from his Ennis home.
Judge Gabbett granted bail after a bail address in Kilkee was provided to the court for Mr Mounsey and he is allowed go into Ennis for school pick-ups and drop-offs.
Judge Gabbett also attached other conditions to bail including no contact with the alleged injured party and remanded Mr Mounsey on bail to appear before an April court of Ennis District Court.
