LEGAL AID | 

Man (30s) accused of assaulting woman is barred from Midlands town

The court heard that when the charge was put to him by gardaí, Andy Mayuma replied: “I am sorry for what happened.”

Today at 16:36

A man in his 30s who stands charged with assaulting a woman in Athlone at the weekend told gardaí at the time of his arrest: “I am sorry for what happened.”

Thirty-seven-year-old Andy Mayuma, of North Circular Road, Dublin 7 was brought before a sitting of Longford District Court charged with assault causing harm to his alleged female victim on May 11 at Cornamaddy Drive, Ballymahon Road, Athlone, Westmeath.

Mayuma, who was ushered into court wearing a high vis jacket and dark trousers, stood quietly in the custody suite as details surrounding the section 3 assault charge were relayed to Judge Bernadette Owens.

The court heard that when the charge was put to him by gardaí, Mayuma replied: “I am sorry for what happened.”

Sgt Enda Daly for the State, said gardaí were not objecting to bail subject to conditions being imposed by the court.

They comprised of orders for Mayuma to have no contact with the alleged injured party either directly or indirectly, to have no contact with any witnesses linked to the case and to stay out of Athlone except for court appearances.

The court was also told directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) were still awaited as to whether the case should remain in the District Court or its higher Circuit Court equivalent.

Defence solicitor Bríd Mimnagh applied for legal aid, an application which was granted after she told the court Mayuma had only commenced employment the week previously.

She also asked the court and gardaí to assist her client to return to Athlone temporarily to retrieve his car, a request Judge Owens said was beyond her remit.

Mayuma was remanded on bail to a sitting of Athlone District Court on June 12.