Clare man who allegedly assaulted judge now charged with stealing beer from shop
Today at Ennis District Court, Jamie O'Connor (44) of Laurel Lodge, Clare Rd, Ennis was charged with stealing three cans of beer valued at €11.40 from Dunnes Stores, O'Connell Street, Ennis, on 15 June.
The alleged theft occurred one day after Mr O'Connor is alleged to have assaulted retired district court judge, Joseph Mangan on Saturday, 14 June.
Mr O'Connor has been in custody since 18 June after Judge Alec Gabbett refused an application for bail.
Sgt Frank O'Grady told the court today that directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) are outstanding.
Judge Gabbett said that he would further remand Mr O'Connor in custody to 23 July and told Sgt O'Grady that he would require a medical report on that date to help him decide on the issue of court jurisdiction for the hearing of the case.
Judge Gabbett said: 'We need to know where the file is by 23 July. Time is passing and we will nearly be into the fifth week by that point.'
In connection with the alleged assault, it is alleged that Mr O'Connor – who was appearing via video link from Limerick prison today – told the former judge 'you put me in jail for nothing' before allegedly punching him outside an Ennis cafe.
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The retired judge – now in his early 80s – served as a judge for 27 years and was the assigned district court judge for Clare from 2001 to October 2011 when he retired at the age of 67.
In the case, Mr O'Connor is charged with the assault causing harm of Joseph Mangan at Barrack Court, Ennis contrary to Section 3 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act on 4 June.
At a contested bail hearing on 18 June, Judge Gabbett said: 'This is an extremely serious alleged offence where a retired district court judge now into his 80s was allegedly assaulted for carrying out a public duty when he was a judge.'
Sgt John Burke told the bail hearing that at 2.25pm on 14 June, Mr Mangan was sitting outside the Gourmet Store on Barrack Court in Ennis having a coffee.
Sgt Burke said that it will be alleged that Mr O'Connor approached Mr Mangan 'and told him aggressively 'you put me in jail for nothing'.
Sgt Burke said: 'Following a brief interaction it is alleged that Mr O'Connor stood up and punched Mr Mangan.'
Sgt Burke said that Mr O'Connor then fled the scene in the direction of O'Connell Street.
He said that Mr Mangan went to the local injuries unit in Ennis where he was treated for possible concussion and dizziness.
Sgt Burke said that Mr Mangan made a statement to local Gardai.
Sgt Burke said that Mr O'Connor was later arrested where he made no admissions 'and blamed alcohol for his memory loss'.
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