A 22-year-old man is alleged to have shouted, ‘come out, you Indians, I’ll show you,’ before he is accused of launching an unprovoked racist attack on two men outside a Tesco supermarket.
Kian Kelly, of Nunnery Lane, New Ross, Co Wexford, appeared before Judge Anne Watkin at Dún Laoghaire District Court in connection with the alleged incident at Grand Parade, Cherrywood, Dublin 18, on March 14 last.
Mr Kelly faces four charges arising from the incident: assault under Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997, assault causing harm under Section 3, and two hate-aggravated assault charges under Sections 2A and 3B of the Act.
It is alleged the assaults had a racist element and were motivated wholly or partly by hatred on the grounds of nationality.
The court heard it was alleged that Mr Kelly approached the two men while they were standing outside a Tesco shop and behaved in an intimidating manner.
It was alleged that he said: “Come out, you Indians. I’ll show you”, before punching one of the men in the face. It is alleged that this man suffered a cut to his eyelid and bruising around his eye, while the second man was allegedly grabbed from behind but was not injured.
The court was told the alleged incident was unprovoked and did not arise from any demonstration or protest.
Judge Watkin adjourned the case until October 13 to allow 12 weeks for the preparation and service of a book of evidence. The charges will be dealt with together.