A 20-year-old man charged with the alleged assault of an off-duty Garda said he was “sorry” for the attack. Michael Fitzgerald of Cloughdromin, Ballysimon was arrested by gardai last week in connection with the assault of off duty garda Dermot Gibson who was walking back to a friend’s house in the city with his wife after a night out socialising. Mr Gibson was attacked after they encountered a group of youths who tried to take his wife’s handbag. He suffered a fractured skull and was hospitalised after suffering serious injuries in the early hours of September 16 last.
The injured man was released from hospital a little over two weeks later but the garda investigation resulted in the arrest of Michael Fitzgerald and a 15-year-old teen in connection with the assault and theft.
At Limerick District Court last week, Judge Eugene O’Kelly heard evidence from Det. Garda Ivan Muldoon of Henry Garda Station who arrested the accused. When charged with the assault, Fitzgerald responded saying, “I am sorry for my actions on the the night”.
Fitzgerald was remanded in custody with consent to bail, conditional to him signing on daily at Roxboro Garda Station, remaining living at his home address and staying away from the Granville Park and Childers’ Road areas of the city.
The matter was adjourned until later this week for the directions of the DPP.
Separately but connected to the same incident, a 15-year-old boy who was also before the court was charged with the theft of the handbag from Ms Audrey Gibson on the night of September 16.
Ms Gibson was with her husband as they returned from socialising in the city when they encountered a group who confronted her to steal her handbag.
The boy, who can not be named for legal reasons, is charged with the robbery of the bag from Ms Gibson.
Judge Eugene O’Kelly heard an application from Chris Lynch, solicitor for bail for the boy but bail was refused, with the serious nature of the charge noted before the court.
The boy was remanded in custody to Oberstown youth detention facility until later this week for the directions of the DPP are to be given.
