‘unprovoked’ | 

Dublin roofer accused of ‘drug intimidation’ assault on man in front of elderly grandmother

Philip McGrane (23) from Stannaway Road, Crumlin, was charged with assault causing harm outside a Supervalu shop

Tom Tuite

Today at 16:45

A roofer accused of a “drug intimidation” unprovoked assault on a man in front of his elderly grandmother in Dublin has been held on €13,000 bail.

Philip McGrane (23) from Stannaway Road, Crumlin, was charged with assault causing harm outside a Supervalu shop at Sundrive Road on Monday.

He appeared before Judge Paula Murphy at Dublin District Court today.

Garda David Costigan objected to bail out of witness interference concerns and due to the seriousness of the case. He said the incident happened at about 1.30 p.m. when a man was “the victim of an unprovoked attack”.

The contested bail hearing was told the man was punched in the face and then kicked and that the attacker allegedly threatened violence on his grandmother, 78, who witnessed the incident.

The court heard the man suffered facial injuries and had a large swelling over his left eye, and the alleged attacker “made no attempt to conceal his face”.

Garda Costigan claimed there was also CCTV evidence and that the accused discarded some of his clothes when he fled. He also said there had been intimidation of the injured party in recent weeks, and he feared it would escalate.

The man was brought to hospital and still hasn’t made a statement to gardai. Garda Costigan said the case was related to “drug intimidation” and there could be further charges.

The garda also thought the case could be sent to the Circuit Court, which has broader sentencing powers.

The accused made no comment when arrested and interviewed, and a file has yet to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The garda did not accept that the accused had been living at an address he gave on the South Circular Road.

Defence solicitor Paddy McGarry said his client insisted he lived there.

The garda agreed that no statements had been taken and witnesses were not at the bail hearing. Mr McGarry asked the court to note that the case could stay in the District Court due to the description of the injuries.

Judge Murphy said it was a serious matter and the accused had the presumption of innocence; however, conditions could address the Garda concerns.

She set bail in Mr McGrane’s bond of €3,000, of which a third must be lodged, and a €10,000 independent surety has to be approved. Once bail has been taken up, the accused must sign on daily at a garda station, obey a curfew and have no contact with witnesses, stay out of Dublin 12 and be contactable by phone at all times.

She remanded him in custody with consent to bail, pending the DPP’s directions.

He will face his next hearing on Friday and his legal aid application was deferred for a statement of means to be prepared.